Deviant practices, art treatment and lived experiences for women living with hiv/aids (WLHIV) in Korogocho Slum, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

The HIV/AIDS burden weighs heavily on women’s physical and psychologically well-being compared to men due to their triple roles of; reproduction, production and community management. While ARVs have improved lives of people greatly; day to day economic challenges and life experiences still play a role in affecting human behaviour towards treatment of long-term diseases such as HIV/AIDs, which greatly impacts on adherence rates by women in resource-poor settings. This study therefore focused on anti-retroviral therapy treatment use for deviant practices by women living with HIV/AIDs (WLHIV) in the informal settlement of Korogocho, in Nairobi Kenya. The overall research objective of the study was to find out existing deviant practices associated with ARV medication diversion by WLHIV in Korogocho. To achieve this objective, data were gathered through an interviewer-based questionnaire administered to 291 WLHIV, 10 key informant interviews with local administration heads, health facility heads and Women Fighting AIDS in Kenya (WOFAK) project personnel and two focused group discussions. This yielded both qualitative and quantitative data. The hypothesis advanced by the study were tested, relationships and findings reported. Findings established that for WLHIV in Korogocho, the combined poverty and poor living environments exacerbate the susceptibility to deviant practices associated with ARV medication diversion. As a response, WLHIV devise coping strategies that are largely centred on survival, including commercial sex work and the sale of illicit liquor. Recognising the disadvantaged position of communities in informal settlements, non-governmental players provide a range of services including; ARV therapy, counselling, support groups and nutritional supplements. The sustainability of these services is, nevertheless, questioned, given the lack of resources, weak state support and high donor dependency. The study advocates for deliberate efforts by all stakeholders through consistent support in; comprehensive sustainable HIV/AIDS services complemented by social networks and community sensitization against stigma and discrimination