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Copyright of Culture, Health & Sexuality is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In countries most afflicted by HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, orphanhood has increased dramatically, but the potential consequences of the increase have been mitigated by the ability of households to absorb orphans. This paper examines what the rising levels of orphanhood mean for the common practice of non-orphan child fostering in regions of high and low HIV prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa, which has a long history of child fostering. Using Demographic and Health Survey data from 135 regions within 14 sub-Saharan countries that undertake HIV testing and have had at least two surveys, we examine changes in fostering patterns. In most regions, we find a more accommodating relationship between orphan and non-orphan fostering: communities are able to absorb the demand for both orphans and non-orphans. Where HIV prevalence exceeds 10 per cent there is some evidence that the need to care for orphans is beginning to reduce opportunities for non-orphan fostering. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Copyright of Culture, Health & Sexuality is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: A multi-sectoral response is advocated by international organisations as a good strategy to address the multiple drivers and impact of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), and was historically mandated as a condition of funding. In March 2017, the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) launched the latest 5 year National Strategic Plan (NSP) to address HIV, sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis. As with previous iterations, the NSP calls for multi-sectoral action (MSA) and mandates AIDS councils (ACs) at different levels to coordinate its implementation. Efforts have been made to advocate for the adoption of MSA in South Africa, yet evaluation of these efforts is currently limited. Objective: This paper assesses the implementation of a multi-sectoral response to HIV in South Africa, through a case study of the Mpumalanga Province. Methods: We identified and reviewed key policy documents, conducted 12 interviews and held six focus group discussions. We also drew on our involvement, through participant observation, in the development of NSPs and in AC meetings. Results: SANAC is struggling to provide much-needed support to provincial, district and local ACs. Therefore, most ACs are generally weak and failing to implement MSA. Membership is voluntary, there is a lack of sustained commitment and they do not include representatives from all sectors. There is little capacity to undertake the activities necessary for coordinating the implementation of MSA, and unclear roles and responsibilities within ACs result in divisions and tension between sectors. There is inadequate senior political leadership and funding to facilitate effective implementation of MSA. Conclusion: We identified three interventions that we argue are required to support the effective implementation of MSA: strengthening and stabilising the SANAC structure; building capacity of ACs; and creating an enabling environment for effective implementation of MSA through political leadership, support and resourcing of the HIV response. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Copyright of Sahara J: Journal of the Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

1In Nicaragua, HIV has been largely seen as a medical issue. This article makes the case for preventing the potential epidemic from a gender and youth perspective. Puntos de Encuentro is a mass communications NGO, which is working to challenge the stereotypes, stigma and discrimination that make HIV so prevalent in many societies. It does this through a mass communications strategy that includes a soap opera targeted mainly at young people. The article discusses why, and how, Puntos has done this work, and what its political and social implications are. It also attempts to assess whether the work has had any impact on the lives of real people, or on public opinion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recognising the link between HIV infection in adolescents – especially girls – and cross-generational relationships, Save the Children has been working with local partners to develop locally appropriate strategies that help to protect girls and to foster their ability to ensure the safety of these relationships, or to enable them to make alternative choices. This article addresses youth, gender and HIV/AIDS prevention in Malawi. It describes the ‘Continuum of Volition’ developed by Save the Children as an explanatory model to help understand the motivations of young women for engaging in cross-generational relationships, as well as to guide the development of appropriate intervention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]