Eclecticism Beyond Orthodoxies: African Social Science Research in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS

Abstract

This study examines the importance of social science research on HIV/AIDS in Africa. There is a dearth of social science research on HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa as available literature focus essentially on biomedical and epidemiological aspect of HIV/AIDS research and behavioral changes. In Africa however, efforts at preventing and mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS epidemic will have to consider the social dimension of the epidemic. This study argues for a distinct social science research on HIV/AIDS which will, first, enhance ownership of Africans in participation in HIV/AIDS research; second, developed within a specific African orientation in mind and third, relevant/ essential to Africa. Such research must equally be multi/interdisciplinary involving stakeholders and responsive to the methodological challenges posed by HIV/AIDS research.