Carnival bacchanal culture and the silent HIV risk among female Caribbean professionals

The feminisation of HIV and AIDS globally has significantly impacted Caribbean nations. Within the last 10-15 years, West Indian females have been disproportionately affected by the spread of HIV at a 3-6 times higher rate than males. This qualitative study explored the sexual behaviours and practices of professional, Caribbean women and their perceived susceptibility to HIV and AIDS: generally, in the broad context of everyday life, and specifically, during the Carnival season. The study also examined the extents to which, in the context of Caribbean culture, professional women felt in command of their health. The study therefore sought to determine if the sexual behaviours and practices of professional women, increased their vulnerability to HIV. Participants were selected from Grenada and Trinidad, known HIV low and high-risk islands respectively. Carnival activities are dominated by women between ages 18-40 years. As such, the study population comprised professional women aged 25-40 years. A cross sectional approach using qualitative research methods was employed: participant observations, interviews and focus groups. It was found that education was not a significant driver of safe sex decision-making. Rather, it was the varying attitudes and perspectives regarding sexuality and the degree of empowerment in relation to physical, sexual, mental, emotional and social well-being that determined safe sex practices. These findings lay a comprehensive and preliminary foundation that can be used to buttress future research on this, traditionally, underexplored area related to the socio-cultural factors that lead to the feminisation of HIV and AIDS in the Caribbean.