HIV/AIDS Impact on the older people in the community: A case study of the older people in slum settlements of Nairobi, Kenya
Description:
The purpose of this research is to find out how the illness and death of HIV/AIDS positive adults is affecting the social, health and economic wellbeing of the older members of the family. A lot of attention has been focused on people infected with HIV/AIDS. However since the start of the epidemic over two decades ago, very little research has been done on those affected with the illness and death of a family member or significant other. People not themselves infected with the virus are indirectly affected as they have to provide care and support to those infected. Children who are left orphaned due to death of their infected parents or parent also need care. With the exception of an extensive study done in Thailand to assess the impact on older people, no systematic research has been conducted in Africa, the epicentre of the epidemic. Existing studies on HIV/AIDS and the older people have been done mostly in rural areas, this study will, therefore, advance understanding by focusing on the effects of the AIDS epidemic on the older populations living in urban areas.
Two major issues facing the older populations especially in Africa is poverty and HIV/AIDS. Studies have shown that majority of old people in the developing world are living below the poverty line and their lives are associated with problems of poor diet, ill health and inadequate housing (HelpAge International, 1999). The older people are especially more likely to be adversely affected by death of adults in the productive age groups in that they may assume the role of household heads with no other adult in the household or they are left to care for young orphaned children. The burden of caring for HIV/AIDS orphans therefore will have additional socio-economic consequences on the older people (Nyambedha et al, 2003, Adrian and Adamchak, 2001). HIV/AIDS also impact on the health status and physical well-being of the older people through the reduced household income, and the direct and indirect health effects of coping behavior. The burden of additional work can also impact on the old people’s health status (Zimmer and Dayton, 2003; Knodel et al, 2002, 2003).
The study will be carried out in 2 slums within the city of Nairobi, Kenya. According to the 1999 population census, the population of Nairobi city was reported to have reached 2.1 million people up from 1.3 million in 1989. Nairobi typifies the current urban population boom and associated urban health and poverty problems characterising cities in most developing countries. It is estimated that close to 60% of the total population in Nairobi live in informal settlements or slums that occupy only 5% of the residential land area. These slums are characterized by lack of access to basic services, clean water and exposure of residents to unsanitary living conditions
Two major issues facing the older populations especially in Africa is poverty and HIV/AIDS. Studies have shown that majority of old people in the developing world are living below the poverty line and their lives are associated with problems of poor diet, ill health and inadequate housing (HelpAge International, 1999). The older people are especially more likely to be adversely affected by death of adults in the productive age groups in that they may assume the role of household heads with no other adult in the household or they are left to care for young orphaned children. The burden of caring for HIV/AIDS orphans therefore will have additional socio-economic consequences on the older people (Nyambedha et al, 2003, Adrian and Adamchak, 2001). HIV/AIDS also impact on the health status and physical well-being of the older people through the reduced household income, and the direct and indirect health effects of coping behavior. The burden of additional work can also impact on the old people’s health status (Zimmer and Dayton, 2003; Knodel et al, 2002, 2003).
The study will be carried out in 2 slums within the city of Nairobi, Kenya. According to the 1999 population census, the population of Nairobi city was reported to have reached 2.1 million people up from 1.3 million in 1989. Nairobi typifies the current urban population boom and associated urban health and poverty problems characterising cities in most developing countries. It is estimated that close to 60% of the total population in Nairobi live in informal settlements or slums that occupy only 5% of the residential land area. These slums are characterized by lack of access to basic services, clean water and exposure of residents to unsanitary living conditions