SOAS, University of London (The School of Oriental and African Studies)

Overview

Name:

Miss Mary-Anne Decatur

Email address:

538753@soas.ac.uk

Thesis title:

Examining HIV Prevention in Tanzania: Promoting Male Circumcision while Eradicating Female Genital Cutting

Internal Supervisors

• Christopher Davis

PhD Research

My research aims to examine the effects of local and international health campaigns in Tanzania designed to promote male circumcision while eradicating female genital cutting (FGC). Approximately 7% of adults are HIV positive in Tanzania. Recent studies have shown that male circumcision is associated with a reduced risk of HIV infection. These studies have led the Tanzanian government, in conjunction with USAID, to promote mass male circumcision campaigns as a strategy for decreasing the prevalence of HIV. Concurrently, the Tanzania Ministry of Health along with UNFPA-UNICEF and several NGOs are campaigning to reduce the number of new cases of female genital cutting. The possible link between FGC and an increased risk of HIV infection is being used to convince communities that immediate, rather than gradual, eradication of the practice is necessary. How have these campaigns altered local perceptions of health risks, particularly risk of HIV
infection? Are perceptions of HIV risk based on genital cutting status rather than on behaviours like condom use? Furthermore, how do these campaigns impact local understandings of identity and social belonging in communities that have traditionally practiced both male and female genital cutting as part of initiation ceremonies?