Factors affecting adoption of urban agricultural interventions among HIV and Aids affected households in Nakuru Municipality, Kenya

Abstract

This study focused on the socio-economic, social cultural and project design related factors affecting the adoption of urban agricultural (UA) intervention for the poor urban HIV and AIDS affected households in Nakuru Municipality. Objectives of the study were; to assess the link between socio-cultural and socio-economics status and adoption, to evaluate the link between project design’s related factors and adoption and to capture individual’s social life history and relate it to adoption of intervention. Shortage of food and of good quality is a common phenomenon in the slums where these kinds of households are found. It is disheartening to observe that only a few are embracing UA. Theoretical framework used were; Innovation- Diffusion and Rational Choice Theories. Cross-sectional survey and case study research designs were employed for the quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Sixty two households were sampled for the survey using multi-stage sampling and six in-depth case studies. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were performed for the survey by SPSS version 15. In-depth interviews for the case studies were transcribed and individual cases reported. Based on results, majority 43% of the respondents’ age ranged from 40-49 years. Respondents’ age had a significant relationship with adoption of the intervention. On gender of the household’s head, majority (78%) were women and showed a significant relationship with adoption of the intervention. Majority (63%) sourced labour beyond self. Labour source had a significant relationship with adoption of the intervention. Most households (63%) reported to increase their income by embracing the UA intervention and showed a significant relationship. Majority (63%) gained social benefits by embracing the intervention. They singled the benefits as; reduced stigma raised their social status and enhanced scope of friends. Socio-economics factors such as age, gender of the head of household, accessibility of labour and impact of intervention on income featured prominently to influence the adoption. A project on UA for HIV and AIDS affected households should target elderly persons mostly women and integrate socio-psychological counseling in their programs. Non-rain fed UA is most appropriate for HIV and AIDS affected households and sustainability of the project. Apart from medical treatment a HIV and AIDS individual should have an access to quality food as well. Further research on adoption of other crops and livestock and ranking them by their social role in alleviating food insecurity in urban poor HIV and AIDS affected households and recommend the most suitable and sustainable urban agricultural intervention for poor urban resource limited HIV and AIDS affected households.