Title page
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Contents
I. Introduction 11
A. Rationale of the Study 14
B. Research Design and Methodology 14
1. Focus Group Discussions 15
II. Women's vulnerability to hiv 18
A. Biological Factors 18
B. Economic Factors 19
C. Violence 20
D. Lack of Basic Education 21
E. Lack of Health Service and Information 22
F. Child Marriage 22
III. Profile of the study area 26
A. HIV/AIDS in India 26
B. Research Area 29
1. Background of Karnataka 29
2. The HIV and AIDS situation in Karnataka 30
IV. Results 32
A. Findings from FGDs 32
1. Livelihoods 32
2. Culture, Traditions and Religion 33
3. Education 36
4. Health 36
5. HIV/AIDS 38
B. Analysis 39
1. Livelihoods 39
2. Culture, Traditions and Religion 41
3. Education 44
4. Health 44
5. HIV/AIDS 45
V. Conclusion 47
A. Limitations of the study 47
B. Suggestions 48
Bibliography 53
Appendix 57
[Appendix 1] Questionnaire for the FGDs 57
[Appendix 2] Karnataka State Map 60
[Table 1. Profile of Respondents in FGDs] 16
[Figure 1. The Proportion of girls married before age18] 23
[Figure 2. Mean Spouse/partner age difference by woman s age at first marriage (currently 25-34)] 24
[Figure 3. Routes of HIV transmission, 2003] 27
[Figure 4. HIV Estimates: India 1981 to 2003] 29
[Figure 5. Trends in HIV/AIDS Knowledge in India] 46