Stigma And Discrimination Against People Living With Hiv (Plhiv) In The Methodists Church A Case Of Njia Circuit, Igembe South Sub County, Meru County

ABSTRACT

Stigma and discrimination are great components that lead to seclusion of people living with HIV and AIDS. Stigma as been stated to be the highest killer than the virus itself. A global call by UNAIDS of zero discrimination by 2015 continue to be shadowed by increased stigma despite so much information on HIV and AIDS. This study sought to establish why stigma is prevalent against PLHIV within Methodist Church in Njia Circuit where love and care would be expected. This study focused on Methodist Church in Igembe south sub county. The study examined the level of knowledge on HIV and AIDS in Njia Circuit, Biblical teachings on the terminally ill and causes of stigma and discrimination with the hope of establishing the roots of stigma and discrimination. It also addressed the effects of stigma and discrimination on PLHIV. The literature review focused on four themes namely, level of knowledge on HIV and AIDS in the church, biblical teaching on stigma and discrimination on the terminally ill, causes and effects stigma on PLHIV within the church setup. Maslow theory was used in illustrating stigma against PLHIV. The theory shows that stigma lowers the self esteem of PLHIV resulting in self denial, non disclosure and suicidal tendencies. The study adopted survey research design. Data for the study is drawn from both primary and secondary sources. Field study was carried out in Njia Circuit which is found in Nyambene synod of the Methodist Church in Kenya. Data was collected by use of questionnaires, oral interviews and focused group discussion (FGDs). In this study, the researcher employed random and purposive sampling to select respondents. In cases where the number of respondents were either one or two in the category required by the study, purposive sampling was used. The sample size targeted by this study was 106 respondents comprising of PLHIV, orphans, church ministers, church members ,lay preachers of the Methodist Church, Bishop and constituency Aids control council Secretary. Both qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis were employed. The data was then synthesized thematically according to the study objectives and presumed chapters. The research findings established there was stigma on PLHIV within the church in Njia Circuit. It was also clear that there was lack of information within the churches on HIV and AIDS. This perpetuated fear and low disclosure of one‟s HIV status .The study recommends that for the church to fight stigma on PLHIV the church should look at issues such as information dissemination on HIV, encourage disclosure in churches, preaching openly on HIV and AIDS sensitizing of congregation on prevalence of stigma in church. This would alleviate stigma and make PLHIV feel accepted in the church and the community in genera