Three researchers have proposed the formation of remarriage bureaus in Kisumu to help HIV positive widows find partners.
In
their findings published in the first edition of Maseno University
Journal, Mr Jeremiah Okuto-Agache, Mr Felix Kioli and Mr Erick Nyambedha
said men who are willing to marry the widows would register themselves
in the bureaus to help control the spread of the virus.
They
said women whose husbands die of Aids, in a majority of the cases,
remarry without disclosing their status. The researchers said remarriage
bureaus have worked in countries such as India where widows are
assisted to fulfil their emotional needs and fight poverty as well.
After
interviewing 105 women whose husbands died of Aids in Kisumu’s Manyatta
and Kondele estates, the three found that societal perceptions limited
the widows’ chances of getting new partners.
“There is
need to learn from other countries such as India, which have set up
remarriage bureaus to help widows living with HIV and Aids,” they said.
The
interviewed widows are aged between 15 and 49 and are receiving medical
support in various health facilities in Kisumu, which was ranked third
nationally with 19.3 per cent HIV prevalence last year.
The
study findings show some widows develop sex desires when using
anti-retroviral drugs and they need a regular partner instead of
engaging in promiscuity.
UNWILLINGNESS OF MEN
The
researchers said some widows cited the unwillingness of men to join HIV
support groups as the biggest reason why it is difficult to find a
partner to live with after the death of one’s husband.
“Some
widows interviewed said they faced a big challenge when they attempted
to form new relationships. Such widows claimed that men never attended
support group meetings which is an ideal forum for meeting people,” the
study said.
The researchers said a young widow living
with HIV who is part of a support group said: “In my view, the issue of
getting the right man to settle down with is a daunting task. The man I
can consider to live with is one who knows me, a man who is HIV positive
like me.
Getting such a man is difficult because most
men are not known to have good medicare-seeking habits. Furthermore, a
majority of them do not attend support group meetings, claiming that
they are mainly led by women.”
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