Psychosocial challenges facing low income women living with HIV/Aids in Nakuru Municipality, Kenya

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) have been in existence for more than twenty years and women account for nearly half the 40 million People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs). HIV/AIDS has devastating psychosocial challenges on the infected low-income-earning women and it is worse if they are staying in an urban area. HIV/AIDS has economic implications on the infected and her family. Much study has been done on the transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS but limited study has been done on the challenges facing low income earning women living with HIV/AIDS. Earlier studies have been done in Kenya aimed at establishing general challenges facing people living with HIV/AIDS. More detailed information is required on the psychosocial challenges faced by low-income earning women living with HIV/AIDS. This information may provide the basis for advocacy, mitigation policies and the design of effective interventions. To this end, the purpose of this study was to establish the psychosocial challenges faced by low-income earning women living with HIV/AIDS in the estates of Kaptembwa, Bondeni and Free Area in Nakuru Municipality. Based on descriptive survey design, the study targeted a population of 700 women who were being given Home Based Care out of which, using purposive and convenience sampling, a sample size of 248 women were selected and served with questionnaires. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics being facilitated by the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 11.5 for windows. The analyzed data or findings are presented in tables and graphs. The findings of the study reveal that most of the low income earning women living with HIV/AIDS are suffering from shame, stigma, anger, trauma as well as being discriminated against. They also face negative reaction from family members and most of them are not empowered to cope with the scourge. The findings of the study may benefit the Ministry of Health and other Non-governmental to come up with effective strategies for protection of people living with HVI/AIDS (PLWHA), stigma reduction programmes and preventive measures of new infections among women. The study recommends NGOs, Ministry of Education and Counsellors to sensitize the public on the HIV/AIDS and its psychosocial challenges, carry out family counselling, provide ARVs freely and encourage voluntary counselling and testing (VCT).