The relationship between HIV and AIDS and water scarcity in Nyamakate resettlements land, north-central Zimbabwe

Abstract

HIV and AIDS and water variability have been studied separately, yet, they impact on rural households simultaneously in an interactive manner. The study provide narratives on various realities from a study in the Nyamakate community that illustrates the dialectical relationship between HIV and AIDS and water scarcity. A qualitative research methodology was employed, and the following data collection tools were used: semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs) and participant observations. The study showed that in the Nyamakate area, HIV- and AIDS-affected households utilise more water if there is a bedridden patient. Such households utilise an average of 145 litres per day and reported a water shortage of 103 litres per day. Although community rules and customs stipulate that water should be accessible to everyone, exclusion of HIV- and AIDS-affected households is underlined by cultural issues, scorn at poor levels of hygiene, infectious opportunistic infections and labour shortage, which limited access to water points by households directly affected by HIV and AIDS. In cases where women were overwhelmed with caregiving roles, men fetch water. We conclude that HIV and AIDS and water scarcity are dialectically related and hence should be considered in an interactive manner in order to understand the challenges faced by affected households.

Coping strategies for individual and household‐level water insecurity: A systematic review

“…Borrowing, loaning, and socially reciprocal behaviors to obtain water were discussed in 47 (27%) studies. For example, (Mbereko et al, 2016) noted that in Zimbabwe, “everyone in their community has a friend” who could help with water‐fetching and household chores. In Yupik communities in Alaska, households with access to all‐terrain vehicles hauled water to share with neighbors without access to these vehicles (Eichelberger, 2018).…”

“…As for perceived causes of water insecurity, management failure (e.g., corruption, poor water source management) was documented in half of the studies (Figure 3). Roughly half (47%) mentioned socioeconomic or cultural factors influencing water-related problems, such as social or cultural norms around treating drinking water (Lilje, Kessely, & Mosler, 2015), social exclusion of widows from public spaces (Gabrielsson & Ramasar, 2013), and exclusion and stigmatization of HIV-affected households at waterpoints (Mbereko, Scott, & John Chimbari, 2016). Droughts, floods, other natural disasters, and climate change were cited as causes of water insecurity in 22% of included studies.…”

The effects of climate change on human health in Africa, a dermatologic perspective: a report from the International Society of Dermatology Climate Change Committee

“…Moreover, many of the opportunistic infections that ultimately cause mortality in persons living with HIV infection are known to be sensitive to climate variables . In a qualitative study in Zimbabwe, households in which a person is HIV infected consume nearly 50% more water compared to other households . In this way, climate change‐induced droughts may disproportionately affect households with HIV‐infected patients.…”

Failed intentions? Meeting the water needs of people living with HIV in South Africa

“…Some analyses discount the 100 L amount, asserting that 'current estimates of water requirements are highly variable (from 50 to 200 L and more per person) but there are no tangible data to confirm this' (Makaudze et al, 2012, p. 66). Variability or 'heterogeneity of use' is illustrated by Mbereko et al (2016)'s case studies in rural Zimbabwe, in which they capture people's experiences of water scarcity in accessing between 40 and 240 L per day. This provides a rich and important socio-political and cultural context that is typically overlooked.…”