Institute of Social Ministry

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    Socio-Cultural Factors Contributing to the Spread of HIV and AIDs in Homa Bay County, Kenya.
    (Catholic University of Eastern Africa and Center for Democracy Research and Development, 2017-05) Otieno, Edwine Jeremiah; Okuku, Michael Tedd
    Kenya is still battling with the prevalence of HIV and AIDS and the disease has threatened her social and economic fabric. It has been estimated by National AIDs and STI control Programme that 1.6 million people live with HIV in Kenya. Most affected is Western Kenya which has the highest HIV prevalence in the country. The epidemic in this region has been seen to be propelled by the socio-cultural practices such us wife inheritance and other risky sexual behavior. The overall objective of this paper is to unravel the socio-cultural factors contributing to the spread of HIV and AIDs in Homa bay County, Nyanza Region, Kenya. It also investigates Meta factors behind traditional practices associated with sexual norms of the community. The theoretical framework for this study is founded upon the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) and Bandura’s Social Learning theory. The study adopted mixed research methods, both qualitative and quantitative. The research designs employed were explorative, descriptive and contextual. Purposive sampling and simple random sampling was used to select 250 participants aged between 15-70 years in Homa Bay County, In-depth, individual interview and focus group interviews were used to collect data using semi-structured and open-ended questions. Data were analyzed thematically by identifying and expanding significant themes that emerged from the informants’ responses, include wife inheritance, setting up of new homes, youth entertainment, preparing to launch planting, harvesting, polygamous marriage and ritual performance. The findings revealed that social cultural practices lead to HIV infection, in most cases most are accompanied with sexual intercourse. Other issues which emerged include: lack of information about HIV/AIDs, poverty, substance abuse, unsafe sexual practices, Ignorance and cultural beliefs. The study also revealed that practices are practiced for fear of traditional curses which include taboos which may result to death and stigmatization from the society socialization. This study recommends that, youth need to be well informed about the pandemic, know its contributory factors and the consequences. The paper also challenges the actors involve in HIV preventive to include elders in negotiating the traditions to find cultural alternatives, this paper also acknowledges the involvement of local channel for fight against HIV.