Community response to hiv/aids: a case of pastoralists in Kilosa district, Tanzania .
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Date
2010
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
A study to assess the response of pastoralist community towards HIV/AIDS was conducted
in two villages of Kilosa district in Morogoro region. A cross sectional research design
was adopted whereby a purposive sampling technique was used in combination with
simple random sampling method so as to obtain a sample of 51 adult respondents and
snow-ball technique was used to obtain 42 youth respondents. In addition 20 key
informants were sampled. A structured questionnaire was the main instrument used in data
collection. Checklists were used for key informants and focus group discussions (FGDs).
The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS computer programme to obtain
frequencies and percentages. Results have shown that all respondents were aware of the
HIV/AIDS pandemic. More than 90% showed positive attitudes towards HIV/AIDS and
PLWHA. Education level was observed to be statistically associated with HIV/AIDS
testing status at p<0.05. Individuals with primary education were more likely to go for HIV
testing than those with no formal education. Also the study observed negative and positive
responses shown by individuals and households towards HIV/AIDS. Negative responses
observed were: taking children out of school, sending children to relatives, selling of
productive assets (livestock) for food and medical costs, skipping some meals and
depending on wild food. The positive observed responses included asking for loans, selling
labour and move to crop farming. Generally, response by civil society organizations
(CSOs) were observed to be positive such as care and support for infected and affected
individuals and households by providing material support such as monetary, food, clothes,
medical care and medicine, moral or spiritual support, guidance in counselling and testing
for HIV/AIDS and mitigation of HIV/AIDS. Central government responses were also very
positive such as educating the community on HIV/AIDS, care and support for PLWHA.
Description
Keywords
HIV/AIDS, Pastoralist community, Kilosa district
Citation
Mghase, S. J(2010). Community response to hiv/aids: a case of pastoralists in Kilosa district, Tanzania . Morogoro: Sokoine University of Agriculture.