Impact Of Hiv/Aids On Selected Cooperative Societies In Kenya

ABSTRACT

This study examines the impact of HIV/AIDS on selected cooperative societies in Kenya. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study that was undertaken in six districts of Kenya namely Makueni, Thika, Meru Central, Uasin Gishu, Nandi South and Kericho. Qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were used with respondents being members of cooperative societies, society’s leaders, employees of the societies and staff of the ministry of cooperatives. Data was analyzed using SPSS. 906 respondents (74 %) male and 26 % female) participated in the study. Majority of the respondents were from age groups 35-44 and 45-54, and the married constituted the majority (85 %). About 44 % had attained secondary level of education. This study identified HIV/AIDS impacts within the selected societies to be at three main domains; where a member of society had a chronically sick family member, had lost a productive household member or was hosting orphans. Stigma and discrimination also presented an impact to the selected societies. More than 50 % of the respondents knew at least a member of their society who had died of AIDS related illnesses while about 30 % had a family member living with HIV/AIDS. 35 % of the respondents indicated having lost a productive family in the last two years. Percentages of those who had lost a family member were higher among the SACCOs compared with agro-based societies. Tests of significance showed this not to be significant at 5 % (U test, Z= -1.184, p>0.05). About 38% of the males and 52% of the females who participated in this study had lost a productive family member due to AIDS; this was statistically significant at 5 %. (U test z = -3.695, p