2 research outputs found
Role of Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations in Mitigation of Stigma and Discrimination Among HIV/AIDS Persons in Kibera, Kenya
Objective: This study assessed the role of governmental and
non-governmental organizations in mitigation of stigma and
discrimination among people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in
informal settlements of Kibera. Methods: This was a descriptive
cross-sectional study and used a multi stage stratified sampling
method. The study was conducted in Kibera, an informal settlement with
a population of over one million people which makes it the largest slum
not only in Kenya but in sub-Saharan Africa. The study targeted
infected individuals, non-infected community members, managers of the
organizations implementing HIV/AIDS programmes and service providers.
In the process 1331 households were interviewed using qualitative and
quantitative data collection instruments. Statistical Package for
Social Sciences (SPSS) and Nudist 4 packages were used to analyze the
quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Results: More than
61% of the respondents had patients in their households. Fifty five
percent (55%) of the households received assistance from governmental
and non-governmental organizations in taking care of the sick. Services
provided included awareness, outreach, counseling, testing, treatment,
advocacy, home based care, assistance to the orphans and legal issues.
About 90% of the respondents perceived health education, counseling
services and formation of post counseling support groups to combat
stigma and discrimination to be helpful. Conclusion: Stigma and
discrimination affects the rights of People Living with HIV/AIDS
(PLWHAs). Such stigmatization and discrimination goes beyond and
affects those who care for the PLWHAs, and remains the biggest
impediment in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Kibera. Governmental and
non-governmental organizations continue to provide key services in the
mitigation of stigma and discrimination in Kibera. However, personal
testimonies by PLWHAs showed that HIV positive persons still suffer
from stigma and discrimination. Approximately 43% of the study
population experienced stigma and discrimination