Role Of Religion In Migration

The Role of Religion in Migration and HIV/TB Co-infection

Abstract

The proposed research is designed to address the knowledge gap in the role of religion in the sexual behaviour of migrants.

Research Proposal

In South Africa, infectious diseases like tuberculosis (TB) and Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remain the major contributors to the burden of disease. Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease of global public health significance, with an estimated 8.6 million infections and 1.3 million deaths in 2012 alone (WHO, 2013). While several countries around the world will achieve the TB prevalence, incidence and mortality targets set out in the 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a lot remains to be done. For example, Africa is one

These include separation from spouses, families and familiar social and cultural norms, language barriers, substandard living conditions, and exploitative working conditions, including sexual violence. The resulting isolation and stress may lead migrant workers to engage in behaviours, e.g. unsafe casual or commercial sex, which increase HIV risk. This risk is increased by inadequate access to HIV services and fear of being stigmatized for seeking HIV-related information or support (UNDP, 2004). Migrant workers may be particularly vulnerable to HIV and TB. Many are employed in relatively unskilled jobs within the mines, manufacturing, domestic service or entertainment sectors, often without legal status and little access to health services. They are often susceptible to exploitation and/or physical and sexual violence, in some cases by their employer, and have few alternative employment opportunities. Women left behind by their spouses, faced with the same economic challenges, and other challenges besides (e.g. food insecurity) that contributed to their husband’s migration, may be forced to exchange sex for food or money and thus become vulnerable to HIV and TB. They may also be at risk if their husband returns infected with HIV and TB (Caram, 2004).

Migrants face higher exposure

Churches, and other religious organizations, also play an important role in the creation of community and as a major source of social and economic assistance for those in need. In past times, individuals could turn to the extended family (and the larger community) for social and spiritual comfort as well as for material assistance. With smaller and less proximate families in present times, churches and temples can sometimes fill the void.

Some researchers have studied the association between religion and migration, but these are mainly from the US, for example Myers (2000), Frieze et al. (2006) and Smith et al. (1998) and also in the United Kingdom (). For Africa, ours seems to be among the first micro-level studies on the relationship between religion and migration. Findings are not necessarily comparable to findings for the US and UK, because religion plays a different role in these countries than it does in African