The Impact of Hiv/aids on Micro-enterprises Development:a Case Study of Mukuru-kwa-reuben Slum Embakasi Nairobi

Abstract

The rate of spread of HIV/AIDS has surpassed all known epidemics in the world. The micro enterprises have not been spared. The study investigated the impact of this pandemic on micro enterprises development in Mukuru slums. The micro enterprises contributes 18% to the country's GDP and many entrepreneurs are between the age of 15 to 45, this is the same age group that is hardest hit by the HIV /AIDS pandemic.

The study looked at the effects of HlV/AIDS on the family economic status, the business mortality and the effects the orphans had on the enterprise either when left to run them by their dead parents or when they were taken in by other entrepreneurs.

The study was based on a sample of 47 entrepreneurs who operated micro enterprises, 83% were HIV positive while 1791"0 were orphans and did not know their status. The study used descriptive statistics and insights from qualitative data. The propositions were discussed in . relation to frequency distributions and the related qualitative data.

The study found that the family social and economic well being had been affected by HIV/AIDS. The cost of the disease in terms of

treatment and nutrition and the frequent closure when the entrepreneur was sick eventually overwhelmed the enterprises. and was forced to either open a smaller enterprise or to close down completely. 75% of the orphans left to run their parents enterprises had no prior experience and no after school training, they found it so difficult to operate and some were forced to close down. The entrepreneurs who took custodian of the orphans found the economic burden added to their enterprise almost unbearable.

The study made the following recommendations: The entrepreneurs were encouraged to find out their HIV status and change their behaviour. It was important to educate people who were already infected on need for good nutrition and positive living and to avoid re­ infection. More counselling services were required in the slums. The infected and affected entrepreneurs needed some working capital, which could be granted in form of loans. The communities around needed more information on HIV AIDS and how it is transmitted in order to minimise the stigmatisation of the infected and affected families. And there was need for further research on the same topic and especially on the orphan run"enterprises.