ABSTRACT
This paper draws on a qualitative study (nâ¯=â¯52) and applies a political ecology of health framework to examine men's perceptions of women's reproductive health in South Sudan. The findings suggest that political practices of place making configure men's views of women's reproductive roles in this new nation state. In particular, masculinity intertwines with fears of losing traditional culture, and with lingering concerns about sovereignty to underpin men's deep aversion to modern family planning methods. In addition, the use of tribal militia to control territory and leverage political power places women's reproduction at the centre of South Sudan's post-secession politics. Improving health in such a fragile environment may require more than rebuilding the health infrastructure and guaranteeing financial access to health care.
Subject(s)
Men/psychology , Reproductive Health , Women's Health , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Masculinity , Qualitative Research , South SudanABSTRACT
This paper reports findings of a qualitative study and draws on the political ecology of health framework to examine the links between housing and health among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWAs) in Northern Malawi in a wider context in which the epidemic has overburdened the country's hospitals, thereby transferring the responsibility for care from government to families. The findings suggest that poor housing conditions, rooted in colonial and postcolonial policy failure, may undermine the amount, as well as the quality, of palliative care available to PLWAs. It was also found that the high cost of renting, discrimination, and poor landlord-tenant relationships imposed significant financial and emotional burden on PLWAs, thereby undermining their ability to meet dietary needs, stay healthy, and adhere to treatment. Furthermore, customary norms around property inheritance hampered women's housing security and their ability to cope with the disease. The paper concludes by making relevant policy recommendations.
