Cultural Factors Affecting the Spread of HIV/AIDS among the Women in Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya

Despite years of study and lack of empirical evidence, assumptions about culture as a co-factor in the spread of HIV/AIDS still persist. In recent years, more and more ideas about cultural causality have been called into question, and often disproved by studies. Thus, in light of new evidence, socio cultural causes of the disease, is both warranted and long overdue. The overall objective of this paper is to unravel the sociocultural factors contributing to the spread of HIV/AIDS among the Jaintia women of Meghalaya. The study adopted mixed research methodology, both qualitative and quantitative. The research designs employed were explorative, descriptive and contextual. The findings revealed that social cultural factors which include gender issues, violence, presence of risk beahviours, stigma and discrimination lead to HIV infection in the study area. Other issues which emerged include lack of information about HIV/AIDS, poverty, unsafe sexual practices, ignorance and cultural beliefs.