Exploring community-based HIV/AIDS awareness creation among the Gusii people of Kenya

Abstract

The study purposed to investigate the exploring community-based HIV/AIDS awareness creation among the gusii people of Kenya. The study used a case study design. The target population was 300,000 people affected and infected by HIV and AIDS epidemic within Kisii Municipality. From an accessible population of 500 people, a sample size of 239 was purposively selected, out of which 128 PLWHAS were support group members, whereas 74 were not, and 25 were family caregivers. Data were collected using questionnaires. The reliability of the instruments was confirmed. The questionnaires yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.7 15. SPSS version 12.5 for windows) was used to analyse d a. The t-tests were employed to establish whether there were any differences between support group attendances, gender and stress levels of PLW AS. On the other hand, the Chi-square test was employed to establish whether there was any association between Mwanyagetinge Community-Based Care and awareness and prevention of HIV/A DS. The study established that the Mwanyagetinge community-based care programme had significantly contributed to raising their level of awareness and mobilising PLWHAS to be agents of prevention rather than spread. With the adverse effects of HIV in our society and schools, counselling curricula in the universities should include an in-depth and mandatory study on the PLWHAS.