Access to Hiv/aids Messages Among the Youth in the North Rift Region: a Case of Ampath Project

Abstract

This study sought to examine how youth in the North Rift region access informational messages on Human Immuno-deficiency Virus and Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome prevention. The objectives of were to investigate the communication channels used for the information messaging among the youth in the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare project; to analyze the types of the virus messages targeting youth at Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare; and to investigate message consumption patterns among the youth registered. The research study was guided by two theories; Consumer Health Informatics Model and Web-to-Public Knowledge Transfer Model. Descriptive research design will be used to assess Human Immuno-deficiency Virus and Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome prevention messages to youths which can generate information useful in informing the planning and allocation of health resources This study adopted a qualitative approach research that involved the analysis and collection of qualitative data to draw inferences from the qualitative results. Based on a sample of 80 young people who visit Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare the study used a cross-sectional survey approach. Seventeen Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare staff were also interviewed. The methods for data collection in this study were the use of focus group discussion, interviews and document reviews. From the Focused Group Discussions and interviews conducted according to the research's goals, themes and categories were identified in relation to the goals of the research. The data collected was thoroughly processed and analyzed through a series of operations aimed at removing inconsistencies, grouping by those themes or similarity to explore the significance of variables. Regarding the youths messaging in North rift, it is concluded that youths communicate direct to their doctors and Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare staff on different issues regarding the infection. Additionally, youths also get messages from the following channels; banners, posters, newsletters, websites, video conferencing, texting, chatting, online messaging and finally the Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome ribbon. Further, on types of the infection messages targeting youths in Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare project it was concluded that, youths get the following messages from Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare project; the infection prevention, modes of spread, testing, use of antiretroviral treatment Antiretroviral drugs, being faithful to one partner and finally foods to consume when someone is suffering from the infection. Finally, the on-message consumption patterns among the youths in the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare project, it was concluded that majority of the youths adopted self-testing on top of that they started using good food nutrition. The youth also practice abstinence, being faithful and use of condoms. Also, youths infected started using ARVs to suppress the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus and Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome virus. The research found out that the messages targeting youths that were thought to youths were; Human Immuno-deficiency Virus and Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome prevention, modes of spread, Human Immuno-deficiency Virus and Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome testing and using condoms. It was established from the study findings that; it is useful to give messages to the youths since it helps them build confidence and youths will be more informed about the infection. Additionally, when planning to implement programing activities, it is essential to develop strategic approaches that view understanding health not as a collection of radically different networks and mechanisms but as a system of interconnected practices that function as part of an ongoing, collaborative process.