This thesis summarizes findings based on research from Thailand and Ghana. It compares the Policy Approach to combating HIV/AIDS in the two countries, based on three key HIV/AIDS policies namely Condom promotion, Information, Education & Communication (IEC) and Mother-to-Child Transmission (MCT) policies. The research, which was carried out for my Master’s Dissertation, is also based on my curiosity on the subject. This curiosity, emanates from the fact that, while Thailand is reported to be one of the few countries that has made immense strides in reducing the number of new HIV/AIDS infections in the country, Ghana’s HIV/AIDS situation is described as being on the increase.
The thesis therefore, seeks to unravel through a comparative study, the impacts, challenges and gaps in the selected policies based on knowledge of HIV/AIDS in the two countries. The successes though may not be replicable, may offer some ideas for adoption in either, or in different contexts. It also provides a platform for understanding the dynamics of the epidemic in relation to rural development.
The level of entry for the study is based on an analysis of the Demographic, Economic, Sociocultural, Gender and Sexuality, as well as the state of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), in both countries. A look is taken at the industry of prostitution, with particular emphasis on its historical development and legal contexts. The thesis also outlines the HIV/AIDS Policy formulation processes with respect to HIV/AIDS Epidemiology in both countries.
Considering the fact that, the study involved different stakeholders, from diverse backgrounds, who perceived the problem differently, it was likely that the research questions would have several answers. The research was conducted with this awareness, because multiple realities were likely to be evident. Based on this awareness, the study therefore, is grounded on the Social Constructionist epistemology. Central to these, is concept of Sustainability, which underscores the need for continuity in projects that can lead to a sustained reduction in number of new HIV infections.
Through the participatory methodologies adopted, this thesis therefore, brings into the HIV/AIDS Policy discourse, my own perspectives as well as those of individuals, communities as well as organizations, working with HIV/AIDS and development practice in general. The study reveals that, Ghana just like Thailand, has succeeded in bringing the issue of HIV/AIDS to the attention of the policy makers and the general public. The major limitation however, lies in the fact that, in Thailand, too much emphasis has been placed on the so-called ‘high risk’ groups at the expense of the general population. Ghana on the other hand, is grabbling with behavioural change strategy, which can help in the reduction in number of new HIV infections.