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Striving for normality in a time of AIDS in Malawi*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 November 2008

Pauline E. Peters ,
Peter A. Walker  and
Daimon Kambewa
Pauline E. Peters*
Affiliation:
Harvard Kennedy School, 79 JFK Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
Peter A. Walker*
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, University of Oregon, Condon Hall, Eugene OR 97403, USA
Daimon Kambewa*
Affiliation:
Bunda College of Agriculture, PO Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi
*
Email: pauline_peters@harvard.edu
Email: pwalker@uoregon.edu
Email: dkambewa@hotmail.com
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Abstract

Drawing on a twenty-year study, we examine the effects of HIV-related illness and death on villagers in Malawi during 2006. Contrary to unidimensional images of an AIDS disaster, we found people striving for normality – trying to control the abnormal circumstances of the rising toll of HIV-related illness and death. Just over 40% of the sample households had experienced at least one death (certainly or probably) related to HIV, but only about 10% were found to be suffering acute or serious livelihood stress due to HIV deaths. The ability to deal with illness and death depended on households' pre-existing characteristics, particularly income level, and, critically, on their placement in the extended matrilineal family. But increasing pressures on an already severely stressed population, and failure of the current ‘community-based’ approach to deliver needed help, argue for more concerted efforts to link the HIV epidemic to broader-based development.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Modern African Studies , Volume 46 , Issue 4 , December 2008 , pp. 659 - 687
Copyright
Copyright © 2008 Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

*

Our deepest thanks go to the families who have been so helpful and hospitable during the years of research. Thanks also to the Centre for Social Research, University of Malawi; our assistants Davie Chimwaza, Francis Chingwalu, Noel Mbuluma, Diana Muwa, Gertrude Songo; data analysts Lucie Heinzerling, Marie Javdani, Ann Laudati, Vishal Gujadhur; our funders Fulbright-Hayes, RENEWAL, Kennedy School, University of Oregon; and the JMAS reviewers for helpful comments for revision.

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