Assessment of the Spread and Social Effects of HIV and AIDS among Muslims of Kibera Informal Settlement, Nairobi City County-Kenya
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Date
2019
Authors
Omondi, Dinah Nyangweso
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
The title of the study is assessment of the spread and social effects of HIV (Human
Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)
among Muslims of Kibera Sub-county, Nairobi County, Kenya, authored by Dinah
Nyangweso Omondi. HIV and AIDS is a social- health pandemic that has entered its
third decade with an estimated 36.7 million people living with HIV and AIDS
(PLWHA) and 25 million AIDS- related deaths globally. Islam encourages fidelity by
prohibiting some practices in an effort of up-bringing a morally upright society.
Despite the Islamic proscriptions, some Muslims engage in the prohibited practices
thus, causing a paradox between the teachings and the individual behavior since they
are sometimes in conflict, hence, the need for this study. The general objective of the
study is to assess the spread and social effects of HIV and AIDS among Kibera
Muslims and how they mitigate them. The specific objectives are to examine the
spread of HIV among Muslims of Kibera, discuss the influence of Islamic practices
on the spread of HIV and AIDS, discuss the social effects of HIV and AIDS, and
assess how Islam mitigates the spread and social effects of HIV and AIDS. The study
employs a descriptive design and both quantitative and qualitative research methods
are used to collect and analyze data. The independent variable for the study is the HIV
risk behaviors, while the dependent variable was the HIV prevalence. The intervening
variables are the knowledge, skills, beliefs, attitudes. The study is conducted in Kibera
Sub- County, Nairobi County since Nairobi is one of the Counties well represented by
all religions found in Kenya Islam included. Kibera Sub- County was suitable for the
study because it has a larger Muslim population and a high HIV prevalence of 20%.
The target population for the study is Muslims living with HIV and AIDS (MLWHA).
Purposive, convenience and random samplings techniques were used to get the
sample population. The data is collected through observation, questionnaires and
focus group discussions. The findings are analyzed and presented manually using the
narrative form, frequency tables and percentages. According to the study findings,
Muslims of Kibera are among those infected by HIV and AIDS since the ratio of
infected Muslims as compared to non-Muslims is 1:30. Muslim practices (prohibited
and enhanced) can either mitigate or enhance the spread. Some of the HIV and AIDS
social effects include among others; stigma, discrimination, orphans and poverty. To
mitigate the HIV and AIDS social effects, Muslims make charitable contributions
which are used to assist the less privileged in the society such as MLWHA.
Description
A Research Thesis Submitted to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts in Religious Studies of Kenyatta University, October, 2019