HIV and AIDS Knowledge, Attitudes and Communication Skills A Survey of Students in Selected Theological Schools in Nairobi

Abstract

HIV and AIDS is a global problem. In Kenya it has killed thousands and orphaned many children. This study assessed HIV and AIDS knowledge, attitudes and communication skills of students of theology. Respondents were drawn from selected major theological schools in Nairobi and environs NEGST, NIST, EAST, SPUTC, Karen Bible School, Scott Theological College and Carlile College. In total, 92 respondents participated in the survey. The data was collected using self- administered questionnaire, focus group discussions, interviews and a brief curricula review of surveyed institutions. The study established that students of theology had high HIV and AIDS knowledge and favourable attitudes towards PLWHA and their families. It also emerged that students received the bulk of HIV and AIDS information from sources outside the curriculum. With regard to policy on HIV and AIDS, among the surveyed schools, only St. Paul's United Theological College, Limuru was in the final stages of writing a policy to integrate HIV and AIDS courses in the curriculum. The study also found out that the students had significant levels of communication skills and had good ideas of how they intended to communicate HIV and AIDS information. However, they cited sex taboo aspect of culture as the greatest hindrance in sharing related information. Stigma also emerged both as a major problem facing PLWHA and their families and a hindrance to the fight against HIV and AIDS. Finally, the study recommended that any effort in communicating HIV and AIDS information should give due regard to cultural contexts of both the source of information and respondents so as to package the messages in relevant ways.