| dc.description.abstract | The study focused on how HIV and AIDs stigma is experienced in the rural communities and the mechanisms exercised to cope with it. Specifically, the research aimed at establishing the experiences of HIV positive persons within the communities they have the influence of HIV stigma by socio demographic and socio economic factors, ways of coping with the stigma and the influence stigma has on the coping mechanisms embraced by HIV positive persons.
The study was conducted in Maragua district in central province of Kenya among the groups of persons living with HIV and AIDS enrolled in the support groups. A sample of sixty (60) respondents who were persons living with HIV and AIDS within the district were interviewed. The key informants included the nurses, clinicians, professional social workers, counselors within the health care facilities visited. For the persons living with HIV and AIDS, questionnaires with open and close ended questions were administered through face to face interviews and for the key informants an interview guide was used. The data was analyzed by the use of statistical package for social scientists (SPSS).
The study findings indicate that stigma and discrimination is the greatest challenge in coping with HIV and AIDS among the infected. HIV stigma impacts negatively on the health seeking behavior among the HIV positive, and on their social, political 'and economic advancement.
The study indicates that stigma though complex, it is dynamic in that as people (both the infected and those that are not infected) leam more about HIV and AIDS their attitudes change. Therefore, concerted efforts from the key players including people living with HIV and AIDS, the govemment, local leaders, community and health care providers must be ensured towards raising the knowledge levels about HIV and AIDS prevention care and management. | en_US |
