Browsing by Author "Nyanzi, Barbara"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    "Abortion? That's for Women!" Narratives and Experiences of Commercial Motorbike Riders South-Western Uganda
    (African journal of reproductive health, 2005) Nyanzi, Stella; Nyanzi, Barbara; Kalina, Bessie
    Although constitutionally illegal, induced abortion is a vital reproductive health option in Uganda. analyses men's narratives about meanings of, and experiences with, abortion. Men play significant tion as instigators, facilitators, collaborators, transporters, advisors, informers, supporters or punishment Many participants were knowledgeable about abortion. Attitudes were ambivalent, with initial reactions and relegation of abortion to women's private domains. Further exploration, however, revealed active and involvement of men. Interpretations of abortion ranged from 'dependable saviour' to 'deceptive Though a private action, abortion is socially scripted and often collectively determined by wider social kinsmen, the community, peers, law and religion. A disjuncture exists between dominant public health and the reality of local men who interact with women and girls as wives, lovers, sex sellers, mothers, sisters. Interventions targeting men about abortion should include safe sex education, provide services and create stronger social support mechanisms. Policy and law should incorporate local knowledge practice
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Contemporary Myths, Sexuality Misconceptions, Information Sources, and Risk Perceptions of Bodabodamen in Southwest Uganda
    (Sex Roles, 2005) Nyanzi, Stella; Nyanzi, Barbara; Kalina, Bessie
    This article reports findings from a study conducted among 212 private motorbike–taxi riders, locally called bodabodamen, from two study sites—a slum area and the urban center of Masaka town. Qualitative and quantitative methods were triangulated; a questionnaire, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, case studies, and interactive workshops were all used. There were high levels of awareness of HIV, much more than sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), because many participants had closely experienced HIV/AIDS. Knowledge about sexual health contained several misconceptions, misinformation, and myths rooted in both the historical and contemporary social cultural context. Due to high illiteracy levels, bodabodamen cannot access many standard health education materials issued by government and private health organizations through the print and electronic media, as well as those published in languages other than the local vernacular. These (and possibly other) disadvantaged groups remain at risk of HIV and STDs. Especial efforts need to be made to provide appropriate health education.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Mobility, sexual networks and exchange among bodabodamen in southwest Uganda
    (An International Journal for Research, Intervention and Care, 2004) Nyanzi, Stella; Nyanzi, Barbara; Kalina, Bessie; Pool, Robert
    In order to examine the sexual behaviour of a highly mobile social group, qualitative data and quantitative data were elicited from 212 private motorbike taxi-men, locally called bodabodamen, from two study sites in Masaka, Uganda. Selection criteria were availability and willingness to participate in the study. Research techniques employed were a questionnaire, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and case studies. Findings indicate that bodabodamen are a highly mobile group who engage in frequent seasonal rural-urban migration. Consequent to this, bodabodamen have a wide network of both occasional and regular sexual partnerships. Both serial and concurrent multiple partnerships are with adults, youths, widows, students, sugar-mummies, barmaids, commercial sex workers, tailors. Exchange plays a significant role in sexual negotiations but the act of giving to a sexual partner is ambivalent in its social interpretation. Since bodabodamen have regular access to cash, they have higher bargaining power for sex. Implications for HIV/ AIDS prevention are discussed.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Money, men and markets: Economic and sexual empowerment of market women in southwestern Uganda
    (An International Journal for Research, Intervention and Care, 2005) Nyanzi, Barbara; Nyanzi, Stella; Wolff, Brent; Whitworth, James
    Market trading requires access to cash, independent decision-making, mobility and social interaction. This study sought to explore whether market work empowers women with respect to spending decisions and negotiation over sex and condom-use. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 212 market women; and 12 focus group discussions and 52 in-depths interviews were conducted among market women in southwestern Uganda. Market women reported high levels of independence, mobility, assertiveness and social interaction. Access to cash was not synonymous with control over it, however. Spending decisions were limited by men’s ability to selectively withdraw finances for expenditures central to women’s concerns including household and children’s needs. Trading in markets earns women masculine labels such as kiwagi, characterized variously as independent, rebellious and insubordinate. Earning money does not change expectations of correct behaviour for wives, making it difficult for women to initiate, deny sex or ask for condoms. Independence and income from market work may make it easier for women to enter and exit new sexual relationships. However, unable to protect themselves within partnerships, HIV risk may increase as a result.