Informal Networks among Women with HIV/AIDS: Present Support and Future Prospects

Ciambrone, Desirée

doi:10.1177/104973202129120331

Cited by 30 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…Similarly, those who perceived their social network as strong felt that emotional support and acceptance were clearly important, particularly in the initial stages of HIV infection, when stigma and perceived differences were critical issues than physical debilitation (Ciambrone 2002). According to Alula and Damen (2000) iddirs are also among the most important institutions for the successful implementation of the multisectoral responses to HIV pandemic.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Participation and significance of self-help groups for social development: exploring the community capacity in Ethiopia

et al. 2014

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BackgroundThere are various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Ethiopia among which the ‘Idir’ is a social and financial institution widespread both in urban and rural areas of the country. So the objectives of this study is to investigate how women members perceive the contribution of iddirs toward improving their lives and to determine whether and to what extent participation in iddirs has social impacts on their lives.MethodsA cross-sectional qualitative study using Key Informant In-Depth Interviews (KII) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) was conducted in Addis Ababa, Addis Ketema Sub-city. Ethiopia. Data was collected using a semi-structured interview questionnaire and FGD guideline. Analysis of the data was made manually using thematic framework analysis method.ResultThough their iddir doesn’t provide financial assistance, all the participants revealed the importance of installing credit mechanisms in their iddirs. However, they mentioned the inability of their respective iddirs in assisting members with their financial needs. One major difficulty mentioned was lack of capital. The participants demonstrated that the contribution of iddir in their well-being was more indispensable than the contributions of other voluntary associations they are acquainted with, such as iqub and mahiber. Especially iddir was regarded as crucial and unique in meeting emotional needs. As well, iddirs’ meetings are ideal places where women share experience; discuss issues of pressing concern and their worries. Other benefit of iddir include opportunities for social interaction, risk sharing and development of friendships, dispute resolution, Sharing and using timely information more effectively, Lower level of funeral services anxiety, Improvement of self confidence and leadership role, reciprocity and coexistence and trust.ConclusionWomen’s iddirs are the viable basis in the creation of social network which plays crucial roles in providing solutions to social and economic challenges women are facing. There was a general consensus by the participants that their iddirs were unable to offer financial assistances. Enabling women’s iddirs to be independent of borrowing from banks is also indispensable and trainings on effective use of credits and the positive role of social capital formed in women’s iddirs is relevant.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Participation and significance of self-help groups for social development: exploring the community capacity in Ethiopia

et al. 2014

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“…Women are more apt to seek out social support than their male counterparts are [10] and it is also undeniable that Ethiopian women have strong mutual help associations in which resources are pooled so as to cope up with their problems. These associations are sources of strength to the family at times of birth, disease, marriage and death [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

The Role of Self-Help Voluntary Associations for Women Empowerment and Social Capital: The Experience of Women’s Iddirs (Burial Societies) in Ethiopia

et al. 2011

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Mutual help is essential to the human race to progress to a full humanity. Participating in voluntary associations has multiple benefits and makes a bigger contribution to resiliency in socio-economically deprived neighborhoods. Therefore, the objective of the study is to assess the role of women's iddirs (burial societies) in promoting their lives, particularly in terms of their social and economic well-being. We employed a quantitative cross-sectional survey. The study population from which the survey data were collected was members of five women's iddirs'. Majority of them (52.5%) reported that their iddirs helped them to a great extent to become more connected with the people in their local community and 36.4% reported that their confidence has increased to have their own say. Nearly three-fourth (70.3%) of the participants indicated that members were willing to help each other. About 71.6% totally agreed that participation in iddirs alleviates stress and difficulty when a relative or family member dies. Majority of the participants (93.3%) stated that their iddirs didn't help them to have access to money. All participants (100%) reported that their iddirs don't have explicitly stated credit mechanisms and nearly all (94.8%) didn't have any experience of borrowing money from banks. Most study participants appeared to appreciate the social benefits of iddirs much higher than that of their economic benefits. This suggests that iddirs need to be well-organized and co-operate with each other and ensuring flexible lending and interest payment criteria need to be established logistically to serve the needs of the poor members.

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“…One study found that women with HIV who used drugs were more likely to be rejected by lovers and families, apparently due to the stigma of drug use (Knowlton et al, 2011). As well, expectations about gender roles seem to lead men away from caregiving, and women's drug and substance abuse histories contributed to their small and/or unsupportive social networks (Ciambrone, 2002). Another study indicated that women living with HIV relied on children and friends for support more than men did (Smith & Rapkin, 1996).…”

Section: Caregiving and Social Supportmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Moreover, a strong caregiving network has been found to help individuals adhere to a medication regime (Knowlton et al, 2011) and to reduce depressive symptoms (Simoni & Cooperman, 2000). Caregiving can play a key role in helping people gain a sense of meaning and control in their lives, as well as help with self-esteem issues (Ciambrone, 2002). Recent papers have stressed the need to link PLWH to services and engage them in the care system, along with continued support for risk reduction (Linsk, 2012).…”

Section: Caregiving and Social Supportmentioning

confidence: 98%

HIV as Chronic Illness: Caregiving and Social Networks in a Vulnerable Population

Mignone

Mercedes

Harvey

et al. 2015

Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care

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We sought to understand the support networks of people living with HIV (PLWH) in the Canadian cities of Winnipeg and Regina, particularly of their network of caregivers and with a focus on people from disadvantaged and/or stigmatized communities. Using a variation of the Photovoice method, 31 study participants took photographs of their everyday realities and were then interviewed. Among the findings was the heavy reliance on institutional caregivers and on nonhuman sources of support. There was evidence of peer-to-peer networks of care, but the strongest connections were with their formal caregivers. HIV as a chronic condition among disadvantaged and/or stigmatized groups requires paying special attention to informal and formal care dynamics and to where social or family networks cannot meet the basic needs. Honing in on and enhancing these features through programs and services can only improve the situation of stigmatized yet hopeful and resilient PLWH.

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Informal Networks among Women with HIV/AIDS: Present Support and Future Prospects

Cited by 30 publications

References 58 publications

Participation and significance of self-help groups for social development: exploring the community capacity in Ethiopia

Participation and significance of self-help groups for social development: exploring the community capacity in Ethiopia

The Role of Self-Help Voluntary Associations for Women Empowerment and Social Capital: The Experience of Women’s Iddirs (Burial Societies) in Ethiopia

HIV as Chronic Illness: Caregiving and Social Networks in a Vulnerable Population

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