An investigation into the role of cultural practices in the spread of Hiv/ Aids in Inyathi community.

Abstract

This research is an investigation into the role of cultural practices in the spread of HIV/AIDS at Inyathi community with the main objectives of unravelling the perceptions towards cultural practices that are said to spread HIV/AIDS, testing awareness that cultural practices do to the spread of HIV/AIDS as well Identifying the cultural practices found in Inyathi community that could increase the spread of HIV/AIDS. The rationale of this study is based on the contention that HIV and AIDS pandemic have wrecked havoc among humankind. It has caused a plethora of problems to the annoyance of humanity as humans fail to find a permanent solution to the deadly diseases. This has caused a review of different people’s cultural practices such as living styles, medicinal practices, beliefs and faiths, marriage practices among others as well as different people’s perceptions of the pandemic. In the research it has emerged that there are some cultural practices like polygamy, circumcision, wife inheritance, dry sex, kusarapavana in Shona as well as Ukuzalelana in Ndebele that highly contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS. The research shows that although people receive the gospel of contracting the virus, their behaviour seems not to change. This research commends that people practice safer sex as a way of avoiding HIV/AIDS infection and should be knowledgeable on how to use a condom.