| dc.description.abstract | Economic powerlessness poses major threats tp, mitigation of HIV/AIDS vulnerability among women in the world. As such, exploration of the relationship between economic powerlessness and HIV/AIDS vulnerability will be the focal point of this study, Through mainly the use of literature based research, studies have indicated how low economic status and disease, most 'specifically HIV/AIDS are related.
Researchers globally have argued that there is ample evidence that the high and increasing vulnerability of women to HIVIAIDS is due to gender-based social and economic inequalities; sexual violence and inequality in access to prevention, education and training. Low economic status among women and dependence on men contribute to their inability to control the conditions such as condom use and multiple sexual partners. This shapes their risk of HIV infection and their high infection rates compared to men.
The purpose of this study therefore was to investigate the impediments of women's economic empowerment in mitigating their vulnerability to HIV/AIDS in Lower Nyakach Division, Kisumu County. The study was carried out to fulfill four objectives, to establish extent to which family status impedes women's economic empowerment in mitigating vulnerability to HIVIAIDS; to investigate how economic status impedes women's economic empowerment in mitigating women's vulnerability to HIV/AIDS; to examine extent to which cultural factors impedes women's economic empowerment in mitigating vulnerability to HIVIAIDS and finally to assess how lack of sensitization and training impedes women's economic empowerment in mitigating vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. The study was limited by the fact that diversity of cultural background made it difficult to generalize findings to women in other parts of the country.
The study was delimited by being confined to womenin Lower Nyakach division. Literature was reviewed under the following sub themes: Family status and women's economic empowerment and vulnerability to HIVIAIDS, Economic status and vulnerability to HIV/AIDS, Cultural factors and economic empowerment and vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and lastly sensitization and training and economic empowerment and vulnerability to HIVIAIDS. The study adopted the relevant theoretical and conceptual frameworks which guided the researcher in determining variables. The descriptive design which involved qualitative and quantitative strategies to data collection was employed. 13,018 households were targeted for the study; a sample of 208was identified using multi stage sampling method. Key informants were sampled purposively. Data was collected through focus group discussions and questionnaires as the main research instruments.
The data was analyzed through frequencies and percentages presented in tables and discussed as per the literature reviewed in chapter two. A cross sectional research design was used to establish the findings and revealed that impediments to women's economic empowerment have contributed to vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. From the findings, 63.7% of the respondents reported that men are the household leaders hence key decision makers.
Low economic status was very critical as it led to low level of education and knowledge. It was revealed that 51.7% of the respondents earned below kshs 5,000 while only 11.9% earned above kshs 15,000. Such low income rendered women powerless in negotiations for safe sex. 49.8% of the respondents reported that men solely owned property while 17.4% reported that women owned property.
The study also revealed that negative cultural practices have subjected women to unsafe sexual behaviours. For instance, 58.7% reported that men were the main decision makers in households. 60.2% reported that condoms prevent HIV infection though they lack the final say on their use. The study concluded that low economic status impedes economic empowerment hence vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. Negative cultural practices subjected women to unsafe sexual practices. Low level of training and sensitization contributed to women's vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. The study recommended that women should be economically empowered through income generating schemes, a participatory approach to fight HIVIAIDS should be adopted and there is need for greater awareness regarding the need of knowing ones HIV status. | en_US |
