Impact of psychosocial support on Hiv/aids orphans in Dagoretti North Constituency, Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

The aim of this research project was to determine the impact of psychosocial support on orphaned and vulnerable children that had suffered an HIV/AIDs death in in Kawangware ward in Dagoretti North Constituency, Nairobi County. It was guided by the following specific objectives: examine peoples‟ perceptions on psychosocial support; examine the determinants of psychosocial support; assess the perceptions on psychosocial support and reduction of HIV/ Aids cases on orphaned and vulnerable children that have suffered an HIV/Aids death in Dagoretti North Constituency, Nairobi County. The study adopted a case study research design. The study used quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study population included children‟s homes that accommodate children whose parents were victims of HIV/AIDs and other agencies that deal with orphans. The target population consisted of the children, teachers and guardians or caretakers of the OVC in Kagwangware children‟s home with a total population of 500. The researcher also conducted interviews with key informants in focus group discussions targeting government official, administrative chiefs, parents, administrator of an orphanage and school administrators in the area. Data analysis was mainly through descriptive statistics which was used for analyzing and presenting the data collected. The findings of the study established that psychosocial support of orphaned and vulnerable children was influenced by a number of factors. This include psychosocial support of OVCs was influenced peoples‟ perception on psychosocial; psychosocial support OVCs are able to regain their lives and achieve their dreams, it was also psychosocial support also offers OVCs an opportunity to compare their situation with others and choose to live positively; psychosocial support had a level of control on the support given to the orphan and vulnerable children in HIV/AIDS death and that HIV positive children significantly affected the rate at which the children were give psychosocial support, therefore children who were HIV positive were favored more when it came to offering psychosocial support. The study recommends that a consideration of recruiting a qualified school social worker or child psychologist at the district level so as to offer early warning of psychosocial conditions that may prevent a child from benefiting from school services; and to offer referral services for the cases the Community Development Workers are not able to handle.