The impact of HIV/AIDS on rural women : cases from Magogwe and Stadt villages in North West Province South Africa

Abstract

A case study to examine the impact of HIV/AIDS on rural women. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on rural women with the view to empower them with knowledge and all the necessary information concerning HIV/AIDS. Samples of 50 women were selected by stratified sampling from rural areas. Respondents were drawn from Magogwe and Stadt villages surrounding Mafikeng in North West province. Data was collected through questionnaires and inteviews. Respondents were inteviewed according to the standardised inteview questions. Responses were content analysed into descriptive technigues. Tables were used to determine the significant differences in relation to socio-demographic factors. The main finding of the study was that African Black rural population in general is affected by HIV/AIDS. Majority of respondents were aware of the causes, infection and dangers surrounding HIV/AIDS. There were no significant differences in religious beliefs in relation to socio-demographic factors of the sampled population.