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Author Biographies
Ann Neville Miller
University of Central Florida, Nicholson School of Communication, PO Box 161344, Orlando, Florida 32816-1344, United States
Lenette Golding
Care USA, 151 Ellis Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States
Kyalo wa Ngula
Daystar University, PO Box 44400, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
MaryAnne Wambua
Daystar University, PO Box 44400, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
Evans Mutua
United States International University, PO Box 14634, Nairobi 00800, Kenya
Mary N Kitizo
Daystar University, PO Box 44400, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
Caroline Teti
Water Partners International, PO Box 3687, Kisumu, Kenya
Nancy Booker
Daystar University, PO Box 44400, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
Kinya Mwithia
Daystar University, PO Box 44400, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
Donald L Rubin
Center for Health and Risk Communication, Paul D. Coverdell Center, Suite 107, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-7394, United States
Main Article Content
Couples’ communication on sexual and relational issues among the Akamba in Kenya
Ann Neville Miller
Lenette Golding
Kyalo wa Ngula
MaryAnne Wambua
Evans Mutua
Mary N Kitizo
Caroline Teti
Nancy Booker
Kinya Mwithia
Donald L Rubin
Abstract
A large portion of HIV transmission in sub-Saharan Africa occurs among married couples, yet the majority of research on safer-sex communication has focused on communication between couples in casual relationships. This paper explores how committed Kamba couples in Machakos District, Kenya, communicate about sensitive relational issues. The findings from focus group discussions with five groups of males and five groups of females are presented. The couples freely shared their thoughts about daily and economic issues and certain aspects of family planning and sexuality. Methods for raising sensitive issues with partners included monitoring the spouse’s mood, gradual or indirect revelation, mentioning topics during sex, and use of third-party intermediaries. Interference by extended family members, especially husbands’ mothers, and male authoritarian roles emerged as hindrances to effective communication between couples. The implications for HIV prevention regarding gender differences and the role of families in couples’ communication are discussed.
African Journal of AIDS Research 2009, 8(1): 51–60
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