Investigating Factors Contribution to HIV/AIDS Vulnerability amongst Young Women Aged 20-24 in Pretoria, Gauteng Province in South Africa.

Salathiso Ndzumo, National Department of Social Development
Nyasha Musundire, .
Mamokhali Christina Manoeli, Shout It Now
Moshagae Letlalo, Women and Men Against Child Abuse

Researchers perceive HIV infection among young women to be caused by their behavioral characteristics, others fail to consider the broader contextual factors that contribute to HIV transmission. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors contributing to the HIV/AIDS risk vulnerability among young women aged 20-24 in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. A qualitative research design was employed which involves collecting and analyzing non-numerical data to understand concepts, opinions, or experiences. Five key informants from various organizations working in the field of HIV prevention and life skills were identified through the application of purposive or judgmental sampling. A gap was noticeable between young women who lived in semi-urban areas compared to those who live in squatter camps and this visible difference was apparent in the resource availability, accessibility and distribution as the findings suggest that the grave challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality play a part on young women`s susceptibility to HIV thus perpetuating the types of relationships they yield into as the common way of living to their ends meet. Epidemiological evidence suggests that these challenges are intricate and multifaceted therefore, a multisectoral, multidimensional, interdisciplinary, and integrated approach is needed in addressing the vulnerability of the target population.

Keywords: Health and Morbidity, Families, Unions and Households, Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination, Qualitative data/methods/approaches

See extended abstract.

  Presented in Session 115. HIV and Population Health