Malawian transitioning elites: identity construction and critical HIV/AIDS discussions

• Author / Creator

  Myroniuk, Tyler Wiktor

• This study analyses the characteristics and life trajectories of highly educated18 to 35 year old Malawians, how they negotiate their identities in the face of HIV/AIDS, and their opinions regarding the effectiveness of current HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention efforts. These Malawians are among the privileged few who get an opportunity to complete their secondary education and potentially attend post-secondary classes. However, their livelihoods are inevitably tied to HIV/AIDS and public health employment opportunities and discourses due to the high HIV/AIDS prevalence in Malawi. These Malawians routinely presented their identities in the context of their understanding of HIV/AIDS. They also critically discussed the merits of current HIV/AIDS policies and potential alternative methods to decrease the spread of HIV in Malawi. By considering who highly educated Malawians are and why they discuss HIV/AIDS in such a manner, more culturally appropriate and innovative solutions in ridding Malawi of this epidemic may be understood.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Identity
  • Africa
  • Elites
  • Malawi
  • HIV/AIDS

• Graduation date

  Fall 2011

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Arts

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R30X39

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.