The Gender Dimensions of Being HIV-Positive in Ghana’s Most HIV Infected District

Adobea Owusu, University of Ghana
Eric Tenkorang, Memorial University
Rebecca Poku, Ripple Effect Communications, Inc.

Sub-Saharan Africa is particularly burdened with HIV/AIDS gender differentials, to the disadvantage of women living with HIV/AIDS (WLHIV). We undertook gender-focused analysis of the experiences of WLHIV and males living with HIV/AIDS (MLHIV) in a municipal area in Ghana where HIV/AIDS has been most endemic. The objective of the study was to fill the void in gender-focused analysis of HIV/AIDS in Ghana and to add to the literature. Using qualitative thematic analysis, we studied 38 HIV-positive persons selected through mixed sampling approaches from two Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centers in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality (LMKM) in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Except for the feeling of sadness due to their HIV/AIDS status, there were outstanding differences in the experiences of MLHIV and WLHIV. There is the need to provide more social support for WLHIV in the study district to improve their health outcomes and livelihoods.