ABSTRACT
Children affected by HIV and AIDS (CAHA) are faced with psychological, social and
economic challenges among others. HIV and AIDS has compounded the situation
posing more suffering to children whose parents have died of the same. Children
affected by HIV and AIDS have been supported in various ways by their extended
families and many other organizations. While there are a number of programmes that
address the material needs of CAHA, there is less emphasis in assisting these children
cope with the distress associated with nursing or living with sick members of the
family, witnessing deaths of their parents and suffering the consequences thereafter.
The psychosocial well-being of CAHA may be affected as a result of illness and death
of their parents, exploitation, stigma and separation from siblings as well as lack of
adult support. The purpose of this study was to examine the determinants of
psychosocial well-being of children affected by HIV and AIDS. This was a crosssectional
survey targeting 3780 children between 10-17 years affected by HIV and
AIDS living in foster families from registered CBOs in Kiambu County. Multi-stage
cluster sampling was used to select 345 children aged 10-17 years. First, Thika Sub
County was purposively selected, in the second stage systematic random sampling
was done for supporting families with CAHA and the third stage simple random
sampling was carried out in foster families with more than one CAHA to select the
participant for the study. Key informant interview guides, questionnaires, observation
checklist and child drawings were used to collect data. Both quantitative and
qualitative data were organized and categorized for analysis. Using Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20, quantitative data was analyzed using
descriptive statistics; frequencies, means and percentages. Chi-square and factor
analysis were used to test the formulated hypotheses. Qualitative data was transcribed,
coded and categorized into themes and words to allow for analysis and presentation.
Results of the study established that there was a significant relationship between care
provided by foster families and psychosocial well-being of CAHA based on results of
factor analysis at 61.4% and chi-square results (χ2= 4.6607; df= 4; p=0.001). This
study showed that there existed a significant relationship between the types of support
available in the community and psychosocial well-being of children affected by HIV
and AIDS (χ2=7.8207; df =6; p=0.012). In addition, this study identified a significant
relationship between coping strategies adopted by children affected by HIV and AIDS
and their psychosocial well-being (χ2 = 6.4420; df= 6; p=0.003). This study concluded
that there were established relationships between care provided by foster families,
type of support available by the community and coping strategies adopted by children
affected by HIV and AIDS and their psychosocial well-being. The study
recommended that the Kenya government should commit resources to promote the
psychosocial well-being of CAHA at various levels through government mandated
departments. Parents can be guided to develop permanency plans for their children
and finally stakeholders; County governments, schools and non-governmental
organizations can work together to ensure sustainability of families and communities
so that children are retained in responsive environments.
SHIHUNDU, A (2021). Determinants Of Psychosocial Well-Being Of Children (10-17 Years) Affected By Hiv And Aids In Kiambu County, Kenya. Afribary. Retrieved from https://track.afribary.com/works/determinants-of-psychosocial-well-being-of-children-10-17-years-affected-by-hiv-and-aids-in-kiambu-county-kenya
SHIHUNDU, ASHIOYA "Determinants Of Psychosocial Well-Being Of Children (10-17 Years) Affected By Hiv And Aids In Kiambu County, Kenya" Afribary. Afribary, 26 May. 2021, https://track.afribary.com/works/determinants-of-psychosocial-well-being-of-children-10-17-years-affected-by-hiv-and-aids-in-kiambu-county-kenya. Accessed 05 Nov. 2024.
SHIHUNDU, ASHIOYA . "Determinants Of Psychosocial Well-Being Of Children (10-17 Years) Affected By Hiv And Aids In Kiambu County, Kenya". Afribary, Afribary, 26 May. 2021. Web. 05 Nov. 2024. < https://track.afribary.com/works/determinants-of-psychosocial-well-being-of-children-10-17-years-affected-by-hiv-and-aids-in-kiambu-county-kenya >.
SHIHUNDU, ASHIOYA . "Determinants Of Psychosocial Well-Being Of Children (10-17 Years) Affected By Hiv And Aids In Kiambu County, Kenya" Afribary (2021). Accessed November 05, 2024. https://track.afribary.com/works/determinants-of-psychosocial-well-being-of-children-10-17-years-affected-by-hiv-and-aids-in-kiambu-county-kenya