AIDS: Changing the Traditional Communal Values in Kenya

Abstract

AIDS is not a new issue in the world and Kenya is no exception to this. Since the first case of AIDS was documented in 1981 this disease has sent the world into panic. The story in Kenya is much the same as in the rest of the world except like most Sub-Saharan African Nations the number of AIDS cases in Kenya is rising at alarming rates. "In Kenya, 60,000 cases of AIDS have been reported since 1984 and it is estimated that 1 million people are infected with HIV."1 With so many Kenyans being infected and affected by this epidemic problems are arising daily. How should Kenyan's be educated on the prevention of HIV infection? How can the myths surrounding AIDS be replaced with the facts? How can the country provide health care for the infected? These and other questions are popping up everywhere and demanding quick and effective answers. Yet another key question has arisen surrounding AIDS and HIV infection and that is how are communities and families reacting to HIV positive members of their groups? It is this question that prompted my research project.