MST-Department of Public Health

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Browsing MST-Department of Public Health by Subject "AIDS (Disease)"

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    HIV/AIDS risk factors and its impact on productivity among workers in Tea plantations in Limuru Division, Kenya
    (2012-02-17) Njoroge, Caroline Nginda; Mwanzo, I. J.; Margaret Keraka
    HIV/AIDS is a global concern and Africa is more affected than any other region of the world. An estimated 22.5 million people are infected with HIV in Africa, with 1.7 million new infections in 2007. The pandemic had reached 7.8% among adults between the ages 15-49 Kenya. However, it is still of great concern in certain areas where the prevalence is alarmingly high for instance in agricultural plantations. In Kericho tea plantations for instance, the prevalence for HIV/AIDS was 9.9% in 2005 while the national prevalence was 6.1% in the same year. This has caused an effect on agricultural production leading to low output. The purpose of this study was, to determine the factors associated with HIV/AIDS risk and its impact on productivity among workers in tea plantations. Cross-sectional study design was used to carry out the study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on risk factors. Reviewed secondary data (check roll and medical records) was used to compare productivity of workers on ARVs and those not on ARVs in different tea plantations. Key informant interviews and focus group discussions were also undertaken. Production of one person on ARVs was compared to that of two people of the same age, sex and experience who were not on ARVs. The mean number of kilograms of tea plucked in 2005 and 2006 and the number of days they attended work were used as productivity indicators. The sample size was 300 out of which 27 were on ARVs. Data from the study were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). Chi-square was used to test relation between variables and the difference between means of productivity indicators was done by use of t-test. Results were considered significant when p value was less than 0.05. The results revealed that respondents with no marital partners were likely to have non regular partners (p=0.046) and to exchange sex for money/gifts (p=0.000). Respondents who did not live with their spouses were more likely to have had non-regular partners (p= 0.000). Alcoholism was significantly associated with having non-regular partners (p= 0.002) and was also associated with gender (p=0.000), with more men taking alcohol. Respondents with no marital partners were likely to have practiced age mixing in the last one year (p=0.010). Female respondents were likely to practice age mixing (p=0.001). HIV/AIDS preventive measures were available for workers in the tea plantations. These included condoms, HIV/AIDS work policy, PMTCT services, STI treatment and VCT services. HIV/AIDS had an impact on productivity with the people on ARVs plucking fewer average kilograms of tea as compared to the ones not on ARVs and attending work for fewer days in a year. From this study it was concluded that gender, marital status, not living with a spouse and alcoholism were risk factors for HIV infection among workers in the tea plantations. VCTs had low uptake due to perceived lack of confidentiality among other reasons. Management of tea plantations need to encourage their workers to live with their spouses by employing them too as well as come up with social education for their workers against alcoholism. Also, tea plantations management need to come up with policies that encourage confidentiality of HIV results in the VCT.
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    Impact of HIV/AIDS on selected cooperative societies in Kenya
    (2013-09-06) Wambua, Philip Kyavoa
    This study examines the impact of HIV/AIDS on selected cooperative societies in Kenya. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study that was undertaken in six districts of Kenya namely Makueni, Thika, Meru Central, Uasin Gishu, Nandi South and Kericho. Qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were used with respondents being members of cooperative societies, society’s leaders, employees of the societies and staff of the ministry of cooperatives. Data was analyzed using SPSS. 906 respondents (74 %) male and 26 % female) participated in the study. Majority of the respondents were from age groups 35-44 and 45-54, and the married constituted the majority (85 %). About 44 % had attained secondary level of education. This study identified HIV/AIDS impacts within the selected societies to be at three main domains; where a member of society had a chronically sick family member, had lost a productive household member or was hosting orphans. Stigma and discrimination also presented an impact to the selected societies. More than 50 % of the respondents knew at least a member of their society who had died of AIDS related illnesses while about 30 % had a family member living with HIV/AIDS. 35 % of the respondents indicated having lost a productive family in the last two years. Percentages of those who had lost a family member were higher among the SACCOs compared with agro-based societies. Tests of significance showed this not to be significant at 5 % (U test, Z= -1.184, p>0.05). About 38% of the males and 52% of the females who participated in this study had lost a productive family member due to AIDS; this was statistically significant at 5 %. (U test z = -3.695, p<0.05. Hosting orphans and Respondents who had taken care of orphans were 25 % and this was statistically significant at 5 % ((Kruskal-Wallis test, χ2 = 9.813, p < 0.05). The study also found out that 50 % (males) and 52 % (females) had taken care of chronically ill family members. Test of significance by type of SACCO showed statistical difference at 5 % (z = -3.894, p<0.05. Stigma and discrimination was reported to lead to lower participation in cooperative societies. The study assessed the existence of stigma and discrimination in the cooperative societies. Majority of respondents did not mind sitting next to a PLWHA in society meetings, however a small percentage (4 %) would mind. This analyzed by type of society was statistically significant (Kruskal-Wallis, χ2 = 21.229, p<0.05). Impact reported included failure to do usual savings, delivery of less than usual supplies and failure to attend cooperative meetings. 25 % of the respondents had taken in orphans. Members from agro based societies who had taken care of chronically ill member from AIDS in the last two years, 44 (71 %) indicated that they could not deliver the usual supplies to the societies as well as those who had lost a family member due to AIDS (72.2 %) and (73 %) for those hosting orphans. Stigma and discrimination was also identified within the societies and this could have a negative impact. In conclusion, findings from this study indicated that HIV/AIDS has profound effects on cooperative movement sector in Kenya. HIV/AIDS leads in reducing membership, participation and contributions in form of shares and deliveries to cooperative societies by affected members. The study recommends HIV/AIDS mainstreaming within the cooperatives both externally and internally.