This study compares, describes, and analyzes the impact of HIV/Aids on primary education in Kenya in terms of enrolment, participation, completion and drop-out rates of pupils in selected urban and rural case study schools in two districts, Homa Bay and Murang'a. Utilising special techniques from focus group discussion (FGD) and interviews, the study explores the impact of HIV/AIDS on the two disctricts paying special attention to gender perspectives, AIDS orphans and the stigma related to HIV/AIDS. The youth become exposed to HIV/AIDS due to several biological, socio-cultural, and economic factors. From this analysis it is concluded that inequality contributes to the prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Poverty and inequality are linked to school enrolment, participation, completion and drop-out rates. Although AIDS is a gender neutral disease, it seems to affect girls more profoundly. Efforts should be made to strengthen women and girls' capacities to avoid high-risk practices, through empowerment and not through cirticism of male behaviour. Report concludes by proposing actions to begin curbing the impact of HIV/AIDS on the communities in Kenya.
Centro de Recursos de Salud y Educación