Women's status and HIV/AIDS risk prevention strategies: A mixed-method evaluation of the effects of Microcredit Participation in Yaoundé, Cameroon

Carolette R Norwood, University of Cincinnati

Recently, development scholars and demographers have given important attention to microcredit organization in the “third-world”. Burgeoning research suggests that joining microcredit groups can have important impact on poverty reduction, family planning attitudes and practices, as well as women’s empowerment status. Recently, however, advocates of microcredit are touting the usefulness of these programs in raising awareness about HIV and AIDS, and as a means of reducing the spread of the HIV virus through prevention education. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, this study assesses the independent effects of microcredit participation on HIV prevention and risk reduction strategies, women’s empowerment status and family planning attitudes and practices in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Additionally, this study qualitatively evaluates local meaning and perception of women’s empowerment and family planning, the usefulness of microcredit programs, and barriers to HIV prevention.