25 JULY 2012

INTRODUCTION Difference in infection rates between men and women Reasons World Health Organisation Essentialised notions of gender? Our aim: –Contribute to nuanced view of gender similarities and differences being HIV-positive and taking antiretroviral treatment.

RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS & RESEARCH SITE 12 men and 12 women Recruited for a previous study in all 5 districts within the Free State province ( ) In-depth & longitudinal study only in the Motheo district Characteristics –Age (women 26 – 59; men 35 – 49) –Treatment –Marital status –Children

QUESTIONING ESSENTIALISED NOTIONS OF BEING A MAN OR A WOMAN: SIMILAR AND SHARED EXPERIENCES KNOWLEDGE OF HIV AND ART –Biomedical understanding –Can be contributed to Drug Readiness Training with focus on behavioural change and adaptation –Examples of two women:

HIGH LEVEL OF ACCEPTANCE OR “INCORPORATING” ILLNESS INTO IDENTITY –High levels of adherence – linked to high level of acceptance –Also for men: despite stereotyped notions related to masculinity –Issues of disclosure

AFFIRMING THE CONTINUED GENDERED NATURE OF HIV AND AIDS: DISSONANT EXPERIENCES ON ART SIDE EFFECTS, PHYSICAL APPEARANCE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES –Issues of lipodystrophy –More problematic for women –Example of one woman:

THE NOTION OF “DEPENDENCE” –Roles of responsibility of men and women who are HIV-positive and on treatment –Most men moved back to original family members for care and support –Most women continue with normal day-to-day caring activities (work, children, chores, extended family, giving support)

CONCLUDING REMARKS Field work still continuing (until 2014) In-depth, longitudinal research – potential to unpack some essentialised notions of various taken for granted concepts.

FUNDING This study is made possible by funds from the South African National Research Foundation – Blue Skies Programme as well as funds from the University of Antwerp. We declare that there is no conflict of interest in this research. THANK YOU