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Vaginal practices as women's agency in Sub-Saharan Africa: A synthesis of meaning and motivation through meta-ethnography

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  • Martin Hilber, Adriane
  • Kenter, Elise
  • Redmond, Shelagh
  • Merten, Sonja
  • Bagnol, Brigitte
  • Low, Nicola
  • Garside, Ruth

Abstract

This paper reports on a systematic review of qualitative research about vaginal practices in Sub-Saharan Africa, which used meta-ethnographic methods to understand their origins, their meanings for the women who use them, and how they have evolved in time and place. We included published documents which were based on qualitative methods of data collection and analysis and contained information on vaginal practices. After screening, 16 texts were included which dated from 1951 to 2008. We found that practices evolve and adapt to present circumstances and that they remain an important source of power for women to negotiate challenges that they face. Recent evidence suggests that some practices may increase a woman's susceptibility to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. The success of new female-controlled prevention technologies, such as microbicides, might be determined by whether they can and will be used by women in the course of their daily life.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Hilber, Adriane & Kenter, Elise & Redmond, Shelagh & Merten, Sonja & Bagnol, Brigitte & Low, Nicola & Garside, Ruth, 2012. "Vaginal practices as women's agency in Sub-Saharan Africa: A synthesis of meaning and motivation through meta-ethnography," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 74(9), pages 1311-1323.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:74:y:2012:i:9:p:1311-1323
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.11.032
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Martin Hilber, Adriane & Hull, Terence H. & Preston-Whyte, Eleanor & Bagnol, Brigitte & Smit, Jenni & Wacharasin, Chintana & Widyantoro, Ninuk, 2010. "A cross cultural study of vaginal practices and sexuality: Implications for sexual health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 70(3), pages 392-400, February.
    2. Malpass, Alice & Shaw, Alison & Sharp, Debbie & Walter, Fiona & Feder, Gene & Ridd, Matthew & Kessler, David, 2009. ""Medication career" or "Moral career"? The two sides of managing antidepressants: A meta-ethnography of patients' experience of antidepressants," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(1), pages 154-168, January.
    3. Green, Gill & Pool, Robert & Harrison, Susan & Hart, Graham J. & Wilkinson, Joanie & Nyanzi, Stella & Whitworth, James . A. G., 2001. "Female control of sexuality: illusion or reality? Use of vaginal products in south west Uganda," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 52(4), pages 585-598, February.
    4. Green, Edward C., 1992. "The anthropology of sexually transmitted disease in Liberia," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 35(12), pages 1457-1468, December.
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    1. Lees, Shelley & Zalwango, Flavia & Andrew, Bahati & Vandepitte, Judith & Seeley, Janet & Hayes, Richard J. & Francis, Suzanna C., 2014. "Understanding motives for intravaginal practices amongst Tanzanian and Ugandan women at high risk of HIV infection: The embodiment of social and cultural norms and well-being," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 165-173.

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