This paper reports on women's understanding of diseases believed to be sexually transmitted in the Asaro Valley of the Eastern Highlands Province. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) seemed to be a new category of disease as there were no local language terms for them. Women did not associate STDs with infertility. Although some symptoms were recognized and known to be sexually transmitted, STDs sometimes went untreated for years. STDs were thought of as milder than AIDS because they could be treated. Those informants who had good knowledge of AIDS claimed to have known an AIDS patient. It was interesting that those who knew an AIDS patient reported a change in sexual behaviour among people who saw the deteriorating state of their relative who was dying of AIDS. PIP: Women's perception of STDs in the Asaro Valley of the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea was studied along with the local language terms for reproductive tract infections. Considering that there are no known specific local language terms for diseases that are sexually transmitted, women tend to view STDs as a new category of disease. The study emphasizes the women's understanding of the risk factors, as well as signs and symptoms, causes and measures taken, behavior towards treatment, and suggestions concerning treatment and protection. Interviews were conducted with 30 women aged 17-50 years. 14 of those participated in the clinical side of a community- based STD study, while the rest provided information independently. Particular emphasis was given to sources of information on STDs, understanding of risk factors, signs and symptoms, causes and measures taken, attitude towards treatment, and suggestions for treatment and protection. Since the local language does not have a term to refer to any diseases thought to be passed on through sexual intercourse, three terms were used: "sik nogut" (bad sickness), gonorrhea, and syphilis; additionally, signs and symptoms were described rather than named. It was found that rumors and educated relatives were the primary sources of information about "sik nogut." One of the major findings was that women did not link infertility with STDs, even if symptoms were felt in and around the reproductive tract. The paper concludes that sexual intercourse, as identified by women, is the dominant mode of disease transmission in the Valley. Condoms are becoming acceptable but are not used because of their unavailability. An interesting finding in this study is the reported change in sexual behavior among people who have seen their relatives die of AIDS.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - ethnology ; Disease Transmission, Infectious - prevention & ; control ; Educational Status ; HIV Infections - transmission ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical - prevention & ; control