Gender barriers in pmtct services delivery: a case study of Mission hospitals in Tharaka district.
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Date
2008Author
Karugu, Catherine N
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
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The HIV/AIDS epidemic has been increasing year by year throughout the world but more
so in Kenya. The spread of the disease has caused a negative impact particularly among
women and children. The study was designed to highlight gender barriers in the
implementation of PMTCT programs within faith based setting. This study adopted both
probability and non-probability sampling techniques.
The study scope was specifically on Northern part of the Eastern province which has 8
districts, each of which has about six to eight health clinics and centers. The population is
quite heterogeneous and an attempt was made to capture the differences by using a
method that ensured equal representation. With the help of the office of the District AIDS
coordinator (DASCO) in- Meru the researcher obtained a list of all the mission health
centers providing PMTCT services in the province. The findings of this study pointed out
that most of the respondents, both couples and the pregnant women feared experiencing
loss family support and the stigma associated with HIVIAIDS.
To make recommendations on gendes related areas that are essential to PMTCT
programming, a majority of the respondents indicateeshat they received PMCT services.
Only a minority did not receive PMCT services.
From the findings the following conclusions were made. It is evident that the impact of
HIVIAids is mostly on women, this is especially so among those at their child bearing
age. Lack of comprehensive interventions will further accelerate infection among infants
and also HIV re-infection on both women and their partners. Programs must therefore
target both men and women in provision PMTCT services.
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Following the recommendations drawn from the study, there is need for community
mobilization and awareness activities to ensure everyone has the right information.
Involvement of both men and women in PMTCT activities are also imperative. These
interventions will help save more infants from acquiring HIV and also ensure provision of
comprehensive services to families.
.f, -.
ix
Citation
Master of ArtsSponsorhip
University of NairobiPublisher
University of Nairobi Faculty of Arts, University of Nairobi,Kenya