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Caught between Scylla and Charybdis: Exploring the Effects of Zimbabwe's Political Crisis on HIV and AIDS Behavior Change Communication Programming

Gwemende, Titus M.

Abstract Details

2010, Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, Communication and Development Studies (International Studies).
The twin challenges of HIV and the political crisis had debilitating effects on the communication efforts of health organizations in Zimbabwe. This study explores the effects of the Zimbabwean political crisis on the implementation of behavior change programs by eight implementing organizations in Zimbabwe. This thesis is a product of triangulation of methods, that is, ten interviews, two focus group discussions and documents review. Drawing from the structural intervention approach, this study analyzed political obstacles to successful health programming in Zimbabwe and highlighted the bi-directional causal connections between HIV and conflict. Key findings for the study are the government ban of field operations of NGOs, widespread violence against beneficiaries and staff, collapse of public health delivery system, migration, decline in funding and abuse of power by political leaders. The study raises questions of program design of the behavior change programs, dealing with an intransigent government, donor funding in conflict zones, human resources capacity of NGOs and civil society's role in development in Zimbabwe. This study recommends safe participatory communication strategies, capacity strengthening, creative partnerships and the positive deviance approach as alternative and potentially effective measures for health programmers in conflict settings.
Rafael Obregon, PhD (Committee Chair)
Mandinyanya Chikombero, PhD (Committee Member)
Andrew Ross, PhD (Committee Member)
143 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Gwemende, T. M. (2010). Caught between Scylla and Charybdis: Exploring the Effects of Zimbabwe's Political Crisis on HIV and AIDS Behavior Change Communication Programming [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1276846213

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Gwemende, Titus. Caught between Scylla and Charybdis: Exploring the Effects of Zimbabwe's Political Crisis on HIV and AIDS Behavior Change Communication Programming. 2010. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1276846213.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Gwemende, Titus. "Caught between Scylla and Charybdis: Exploring the Effects of Zimbabwe's Political Crisis on HIV and AIDS Behavior Change Communication Programming." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1276846213

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)