Social, cultural and economic factors impacting on HIV/AIDS risk perception

Abstract

The research project sets out to examine socio-economic factors that hinder risk perception of college students regarding HIV / AIDS pandemic among the Kenya college youth. A lack of awareness of or unwillingness by our policy makers to address the social cultural and economic forces contributing to the transmission of the HIV / AIDS virus has hampered attempts to stem the scourge. The study will contribute to an in-depth understanding of the gender differences and risk perception impelled by the above- mentioned factors that have received little focus with the bulk of efforts directed to behavioural change communication strategies. A relationship between risk perception and factors that predisposes high risk sexual behavior have also been examined in an effort to come up with " A Social Prevention Strategy" that ameliorates socioeconomic influences on HIV / AIDS virus transmission. Policy makers and stakeholders in prevention campaigns should be aware of these forces because they profoundly influence the effectiveness of Behavioral Change Communication strategies, prevention, and treatment. The enquiry also provides a considerable amount of literature in the field of risk perception, which has continued to grip the attention of researchers in recent years spurring increased study of risk analysis. College students in Kenya represent a population that, with a few exceptions, is sexually active and engages in risky behaviuor and an important one to warrant research .