When love becomes dangerous: an in-depth look into heterosexual relationships in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and their link to HIV transmission amongst Vincentian women

Miller, Jozelle Marcene (2014). When love becomes dangerous: an in-depth look into heterosexual relationships in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and their link to HIV transmission amongst Vincentian women. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Understanding why persons repeatedly place themselves at risk for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), amidst the wealth of prevention information available is of profound importance. Presently, scientific research of this phenomenon has been dominated by the cognitive models of health behaviour, but these were criticised for ignoring emotional, social and cultural influences on sexual behaviour. This thesis explored and investigated some of these non-cognitive factors within the specific cultural context of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with sole reference to women, to understand why women put themselves at risk and also help inform the country’s efforts to tackle the problem.

This research comprised of four studies, each targeting women ages (18-40 yrs) and sexually involved in relationships. Study one was a qualitative study (N= 10), which explored women’s perceptions of the socio-cultural influences which contributes to their decision to engage in risky sex. Study two was a quantitative study in which (N=75), HIV+ women were surveyed, on whether they contracted HIV from within their long term relationships. Study three was a qualitative Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) study (N=9); in-depth interviews investigated the intricacies of long-term relationships that made them more likely to influence unsafe sexual practices. Study four was a quantitative study (N=60) women; used questionnaires to investigate the validity that tolerance to infidelity and non use of condoms in long term relationships, which contributes to HIV transmission amongst Vincentian women. This research confirmed the existing limitations of the Cognitive models on health when applied to sexual behavior and produced evidence that Vincentian women more at vulnerable to contracting HIV within their long term relationships.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):