The Social History of Chronic STIs in Africa: Experiences from Cameroon

摘要

The emergence of chronic STIs in Africa has been a nightmare to medical and social scientists, making infected persons to show differences in clinical, therapeutic and social histories. Medical history shows that HIV/AIDS and HBV are the only chronic STIs in the world for now. This study presents social modifications within this community as persons infected with HIV/AIDS and HBV live their experiences in the context of Cameroon. It presents the traumatic experiences of these infections on the social lives of the infected and affected persons with their entourage. A contribution enriches the current literature on the social history of chronic STIs in Africa. A qualitative study that used the techniques of in-depth interviews, FGD and participant observations to collect data from a sample population of 108 persons living with HIV/AIDS, HIV/HBV co-infections, and HBV presenting therapeutic complications in the UTHY Cameroon. A FGD carried out with patients who are members of social networks and associations. Data analyzed and interpreted using a content analysis and the Social Dynamic Analysis of George Balandier. Persons living with HIV/AIDS have life-experiences that are quite traumatizing and differ from those with HBV. From the 80s till date, HIV patients lived a life of shame, fear, rejection and stigmatization causing a good number of suicidal deaths. This has caused many patients to die due to the refusal to seek medical care. Ignorance around HBV makes it stigma-free and more deadly as compare to the former. Coping strategies developed by these patients result in social modifications of this community.