An Inquiry Into The Social Effects Of Hiv/Aids In Maasai Community (A Case Study For Moduli District, Makuyuni Subcounty)

ABSTRACT

The effect of HIV/AIDS is still a great challenge to the people's life, very little is known of its spread, prevention, and effects on the community control process. The main objective of this study is to assess the effects of HIV/AIDS in Maasai community in Monduli district with the idea of drawing awareness strategies to control the new spread of HIV/AIDS. Its focus is on the causes and impact and the knowledge of the effects of this pandemic disease to the Maasai community and making awareness of a control strategy through education to control the new effected persons. The study is a case study carried out in Makuyni Sub County in monduli district of north Tanzania between December 2009 and January 2010, using PRA tools, interviews and questionnaires as well as literature review to collect information necessary for the study The study findings indicate that, effects of HIV/ AIDS are spreading within the community and community has little knowledge about it. The government and nongovernmental organization were providing education about the causes and the effects but the great challenge is the culture of the Maasai community and illiteracy among the entire community. The few educated are used to educate others because it becomes easy for them to accept the education through their fellow tnl>e mate than other people from outside their community. The recommendations: are long-term measures undertaken to educate the people about HIV I AIDS and its effect. The measures should include education about the causes of HIV/ AIDS and the effect, to stop their culture which promotes spread of the disease and use the culture which is friendly to the human life. Provide education about the control of HIV/ AIDS to relief their lives.