Frumence Gasto, Eriksson Malin, Nystrom Lennarth, Killewo Japhet, Emmelin Maria
a Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences , Department of Development Studies , PO Box 65454 , Dar es Salaam , Tanzania.
Afr J AIDS Res. 2011 Apr;10(1):1-13. doi: 10.2989/16085906.2011.575543.
The article presents a synthesis of data from three village case studies focusing on how structural and cognitive social capital may have influenced the progression of the HIV epidemic in the Kagera region of Tanzania. Grounded theory was used to develop a theoretical model describing the possible links between structural and cognitive social capital and the impact on sexual health behaviours. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were carried out to represent the range of experiences of existing social capital. Both structural and cognitive social capital were active avenues for community members to come together, empower each other, and develop norms, values, trust and reciprocal relations. This empowerment created an enabling environment in which members could adopt protective behaviours against HIV infection. On the one hand, we observed that involvement in formal and informal organisations resulted in a reduction of numbers of sexual partners, led people to demand abstinence from sexual relations until marriage, caused fewer opportunities for casual sex, and gave individuals the agency to demand the use of condoms. On the other hand, strict membership rules and regulations excluded some members, particularly excessive alcohol drinkers and debtors, from becoming members of the social groups, which increased their vulnerability in terms of exposure to HIV. Social gatherings (especially those organised during the night) were also found to increase youths' risk of HIV infection through instances of unsafe sex. We conclude that even though social capital may at times have negative effects on individuals' HIV-prevention efforts, this study provides initial evidence that social capital is largely protective through empowering vulnerable groups such as women and the poor to protect against HIV infection and by promoting protective sexual behaviours.
本文综合了三个村庄案例研究的数据，重点关注结构和认知社会资本如何影响坦桑尼亚卡盖拉地区的艾滋病毒疫情发展。采用扎根理论来构建一个理论模型，描述结构和认知社会资本之间的可能联系以及对性健康行为的影响。开展了焦点小组讨论和关键信息人访谈，以展现现有社会资本的各种经历。结构和认知社会资本都是社区成员聚集在一起、相互赋权并形成规范、价值观、信任和互惠关系的有效途径。这种赋权创造了一个有利环境，使成员能够采取预防艾滋病毒感染的保护行为。一方面，我们观察到，参与正式和非正式组织导致性伴侣数量减少，促使人们要求婚前禁欲，减少了随意性行为的机会，并使个人有能力要求使用避孕套。另一方面，严格的成员规章制度将一些成员，特别是酗酒者和债务人排除在社会群体之外，这增加了他们感染艾滋病毒的易感性。社会聚会（尤其是夜间组织的聚会）也被发现会通过不安全的性行为增加年轻人感染艾滋病毒的风险。我们得出结论，尽管社会资本有时可能对个人的艾滋病毒预防工作产生负面影响，但本研究提供了初步证据，表明社会资本在很大程度上具有保护作用，它通过增强妇女和穷人等弱势群体预防艾滋病毒感染的能力以及促进保护性性行为来实现这一点。
