Assessing the impact of HIV/AIDS on the remarriage rate of widows and divorced in South Africa using Agincourt community as a case study.
Date
2009-03-25T06:42:02Z
Authors
Okonji, Emeka Francis
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Abstract
This paper reviews the remarriage pattern of widows and divorcees (both male and
female) within the context of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Using retrospectively reported
data based on a sample of 7535 respondents whom their previous marriage had
already ended in Agincourt community. Analysis was done at the three levels,
descriptive, bivariate and multivariate levels. The bivariate level employed the Kaplan-
Meier curve as well as Cox regression. The multivariate level employed the Cox
regression analysis.
The results show a slightly higher proportion for divorcees than widows (52% and 48%
respectively) and that widows are less likely to remarry than divorcees. In addition,
higher proportion of widows than widowers was observed, suggesting higher male
mortality in this community. The analysis also reveals that widows are less likely to
remarry than widowers. Furthermore, analysis of remarriage by end type of previous
marriage and sex was done and the result discussed. Finally, an analysis of male and
female widows whose spouses died of AIDS as opposed to those whose spouses died
of non-AIDS related causes was done and result the result suggest that there is no
relationship between partner dying of AIDS and remarriage.
In conclusion, existing prevention campaigns usually targeted individuals with multiple
sexual partners, identifying them as the link between high-risk behavior and high-risk
groups, but neglected the importance of individuals whose partner died or were
divorced because of AIDS who later remarry. Although, the small sample size for those
whose cause of death were reported constrained the main analysis for this study.
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However, a need for further investigation into the impact of remarriage of widows and
divorced when there is sufficient data on cause of death.
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Keywords
Remarriage, Widows, Divorced