| dc.description.abstract | HIV/AIDS is among the most serious diseases in the world today. It's impact is more
than a medical issue. This is because HIVIAIDS has affected all aspects of human
life. HIVIAIDS patients and their families not only suffer from the physical impact of
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the epidemic, they have also to face the economic, social, spiritual and psychological
impact.
Besides other methods of counselling, this study shows the significance of incorporating
faith and medicine in the management of diseases, particularly HIVIAIDS.
Although religious healing is practised by various people in Kenya today, this study
emphasizes that a combination of religion and medicine may perhaps provide one of
the best ways to manage particular diseases such as AIDS.
This study therefore ventured to clarify the role of religion in counselling HIVIAIDS
patients at Kenyatta National HospiraL-"
The study is based on both library and field research. A simple random sampling
method was used to draw a sample from Kenyatta National Hospital among the
patients, their relatives, counsellors, administrators and chaplains.
The data collected from the field was obtained through the following methods:questionnaires,
interviews, focus group discussions, direct observation, informal
interviews, serrunar attendance on HIVIAIDS counselling and public lecture
attendance on HIVIAIDS epidemic by the Association of People with AIDS.
The study found out that, HIVIAIDS epidemic has had adverse impacts on the patient,
the family and the society. It was also established that Kenyatta National Hospital
offers different kinds of counselling services to its patients. It was also found out that
use of religion in counselling is effective, because majority of HIV/AIDS patients at
the hospital have a religious background. Lastly, the study found out that
stigmatization and confidentiality remain major problems in dealing with the
HIVIAIDS epidemic.
From the findings it was concluded that first HIVIAIDS epidemic has and very
negative economic, social, cultural and spiritual impacts on the patient, institution and
the society. Second counselling inclusive of religion plays a major role in the
Management of HIVIAIDS patients. Third, religion also provides preventive
strategies in the spread of HIV throsgh.its education on sexual values and norms.
'"
Based on this study, the following recommendations have surfaced for reflection and
action: Firstly, there is more need to create HIV/AIDS awareness and provide tangible
services in terms of resource for both the patient and the hospital through religious
organizations. Secondly, religion should teach that suffering is part of life, love and
care, therefore should come before stigmatization, condemnation and rejection.
Thirdly, religious leaders and members should be more involved in home-based care.
Fourthly. religion should give some more alternatives to cultural practices as wife
inheritance, wife cleansing and sharing of wives among others so as to curb the spread
of HIV. Fifthly, spiritual counselling is necessary and important; therefore Kenyatta
National Hospital should emphasize more on the use of religion in counselling
HIVIAIDS patients | |
