Students Perception About Hiv/Aids In Kabarnet Division Of Baringo District In Kenya

ABSTRACT

This research set out to establish student's perception about HIV/AIDS in Kabarnet

Division of Baringo District. The main objectives of the study were: to find out

whether primary school students actually believe that A!Ds is a threat to them, to find

out students attitude towards behaviour change programmes and the role played by

parents, teachers and the entire community in inclusion of good morals among the

students, and to find out students perception about people with HIV/ A IDs

Owing to the vast area and population four schools were randomly picked for the

study. A total of 100 students pai1icipated in the study and the findings were analyzed

quantitatively.

It was found that student's perception about HIV/A!Ds had improved in the recent

years but the stakeholders in creating awareness needs to exhaust all the necessary

information about HIV/ AIDS protection and transmission to enforce change of sexual

behaviour among students. It was also found that the stakeholders do not have

harmonized information about protective measures for while teachers and the media

advocate for use of condoms, the Church and parents call for abstinence thus creating

confusion among the students.

It was found that many parents do not find time to discuss HIV/A!Ds with their

children and that some of them still hold it a taboo poverty has also contributed to

lack of change of sexual behaviour among students since to the majority of them the

determining factor for choice of their pa11ner is the financial status of the partner

rather than his/her HIV status.

The researcher therefore recommends that the government should intensify awareness

campaigns directed to students in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions that is

geared towards creating intensive awareness and change of sexual behaviour. All

parents should be well informed about HIV/A!Ds and encouraged to fully participate

in inculcating morals in their children. Each school should have at least one teacher

trained to handle HJV/A!Ds appropriately. The syllabus to be taught in the school

should also be modified for the teaching of HlV/AIDs. Each school should start a

H.I.V club to run along other clubs lastly, since children learn more by what they see,

volunteer A!Ds Victims should be allowed to visit and address students in all schools.