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Is social capital associated with HIV risk in rural South Africa?

Author

Listed:
  • Pronyk, Paul M.
  • Harpham, Trudy
  • Morison, Linda A.
  • Hargreaves, James R.
  • Kim, Julia C.
  • Phetla, Godfrey
  • Watts, Charlotte H.
  • Porter, John D.
Abstract
The role of social capital in promoting health is now widely debated within international public health. In relation to HIV, the results of previous observational and cross-sectional studies have been mixed. In some settings it has been suggested that high levels of social capital and community cohesion might be protective and facilitate more effective collective responses to the epidemic. In others, group membership has been a risk factor for HIV infection. There have been few attempts to strengthen social capital, particularly in developing countries, and examine its effect on vulnerability to HIV. Employing data from an intervention study, we examined associations between social capital and HIV risk among 1063 14 to 35-year-old male and female residents of 750 poor households from 8 villages in rural Limpopo province, South Africa. We assessed cognitive social capital (CSC) and structural social capital (SSC) separately, and examined associations with numerous aspects of HIV-related psycho-social attributes, risk behavior, prevalence and incidence. Among males, after adjusting for potential confounders, residing in households with greater levels of CSC was linked to lower HIV prevalence and higher levels of condom use. Among females, similar patterns of relationships with CSC were observed. However, while greater SSC was associated with protective psychosocial attributes and risk behavior, it was also associated with higher rates of HIV infection. This work underscores the complex and nuanced relationship between social capital and HIV risk in a rural African context. We suggest that not all social capital is protective or health promotive, and that getting the balance right is critical to informing HIV prevention efforts.

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  • Pronyk, Paul M. & Harpham, Trudy & Morison, Linda A. & Hargreaves, James R. & Kim, Julia C. & Phetla, Godfrey & Watts, Charlotte H. & Porter, John D., 2008. "Is social capital associated with HIV risk in rural South Africa?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 66(9), pages 1999-2010, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:66:y:2008:i:9:p:1999-2010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    7. Adekunle Adedeji & Tosin Tunrayo Olonisakin & Johanna Buchcik & Erhabor S. Idemudia, 2023. "Socioeconomic status and social capital as predictors of happiness: evidence and gender differences," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-8, December.
    8. Wouters, Edwin & Van Damme, Wim & Van Loon, Francis & van Rensburg, Dingie & Meulemans, Herman, 2009. "Public-sector ART in the Free State Province, South Africa: Community support as an important determinant of outcome," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(8), pages 1177-1185, October.
    9. Omar Mahmoud, Toman & Thiele, Rainer, 2013. "Does Prime-Age Mortality Reduce Per-Capita Household Income? Evidence from Rural Zambia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 51-62.
    10. Yusuf Ransome & Meagan Zarwell & William T Robinson, 2019. "Participation in community groups increases the likelihood of PrEP awareness: New Orleans NHBS-MSM Cycle, 2014," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(3), pages 1-11, March.
    11. Maticka-Tyndale, Eleanor & Barnett, Jessica Penwell, 2010. "Peer-led interventions to reduce HIV risk of youth: A review," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 98-112, May.
    12. Agampodi, Thilini Chanchala & Agampodi, Suneth Buddhika & Glozier, Nicholas & Siribaddana, Sisira, 2015. "Measurement of social capital in relation to health in low and middle income countries (LMIC): A systematic review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 95-104.
    13. Jennings, Jacky M. & Hensel, Devon J. & Tanner, Amanda E. & Reilly, Meredith L. & Ellen, Jonathan M., 2014. "Are social organizational factors independently associated with a current bacterial sexually transmitted infection among urban adolescents and young adults?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 52-60.
    14. Mulumeoderhwa Buhendwa & Yvonne Sliep & Gugu Gladness Mchunu & Celenkosini Thembelenkosini Nxumalo, 2022. "Exploring the Influence of Social Capital on HIV Prevention with Migrants from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Living in Durban, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-19, December.
    15. Rodgers, Justin & Valuev, Anna V. & Hswen, Yulin & Subramanian, S.V., 2019. "Social capital and physical health: An updated review of the literature for 2007–2018," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 236(C), pages 1-1.

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