Application of community participation paradigm in the care of children orphaned by HIV and AIDs in Kibera Division, Nairobi, Kenya.
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Date
2004-11
Authors
Akunga, Alice Bonareri
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Literature reviewed indicates that community care programmes have been initiated to
support children orphaned by HIV and AIDS. These children suffer from various problems,
including loss of family, depression, malnutrition, lack of access to education and
healthcare; loss of property and inheritance; abuse and increased exposure to HIV and
AIDS. However, there is no information on gender relationship in their needs, care, and
problems faced. There is also no information on community participation in the care
programmes assisting orphaned children, and the success of these community programmes
in meeting orphan needs. Neither is there any information on the relationships between the
orphans being supported by these community care programmes and those without any
support, issues that this study sought to address. This study applied community participation
paradigm in community care programmes providing care to HIV and AIDS orphans in
Kibera Location, Nairobi, Kenya. This paradigm emphasizes and strengthens the role of the
community in community programmes. It emphasizes that involvement of the community
members in planning and implementation of these programmes enhances ownership and
therefore leads to success of these programmes. The study is also supported by the double
ABCX model, which describes factors that account for differences in family capability to
achieve a new level of balance at both the individual family and the family-community level
over time after a situation affecting the family occurs. The study therefore sought to
establish community participation in care programmes, as well as the success of these
programmes in meeting the needs of orphans. A random sample of 219 orphans and
caregivers (55 from a community care programme and 164 not under the programme); 11
community leaders and 13 community care programme leaders in Kibera Location, Nairobi,
was surveyed using interviews and focus group discussions. The findings of this study
showed that orphan needs for food, clothing, medical care, shelter, education and
psychosocial support are not adequately provided for. Findings further showed that the
orphans experienced a number of problems, including hunger, inadequate shelter and
clothing; being overworked, beaten and quarrelled. The results further indicate that very few
caregivers were involved in community care projects. For instance, only 5% of caregivers
were involved in planning the activities of community care programmes, while only 2.7%
are involved in decision-making. Additionally, very few (17.3%) of caregivers were
involved in carrying out activities of the community care programmes, which mostly
involves reaching out to orphans and offering home based care and support. At the same
time, only 6.8% of caregivers made contributions towards supporting community care
programmes. Overall, 56.2% of the caregivers felt that community care programmes were
not sufficiently meeting orphan needs, hence.not successful, while only 8.2% felt that the
programmes were successful in .meeting needs of orphans. The rest, 35.6%, felt that the
needs of orphans were fairly sufficiently met. There were significant relationships between
gender of orphans and assistance required in school fees, with more girls requiring support
in school fees. Significant relationships were also observed between orphans in and out of
the project and problems of hunger, inadequate clothing and being overworked. The
majority of orphans out of the project were overworked. Correlation results show success of
community care programmes and, the number of orphans, support provided, needs and
problems of the ophans and problems experienced by caregivers. Community participation
variables also showed significant relationship with success of community care programmes.
The study findings further show that the number of HIV and AIDS orphans and number of
problems experienced by caregivers are predictors of success of community care
programmes. Based on the findings of this study, there is a need for programmes designed to
assist orphans to have an integrated approach towards assisting orphans, thereby striving to
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provide for all their needs adequately and checking against any abuses. There is also a need
to design programmes to support caregivers and communities affected particularly those
without any assistance. In addition, it is important to involve the communities and in
particular caregivers in the activities of the community care programmes. It is also important
to establish home based care support programmes, establish orphan support networks and
advise and encourage parents who are infected with IllV and AIDS to engage and discuss
with their children about their future.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the department of textile, family and consumer sciences, school of Environmental and Human Sciences, Kenyatta University. November, 2004