Knowledge Levels and Gaps on Preventing HIV Transmission among People Living With HIV in Kisii County, Western Kenya
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Date
2015
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Human and Social Science Research
Abstract
Abstract
Knowledge of HIV prevention methodologies by people living with HIV (PLHIVs) is an important precursor to HIV risk reduction. This study sought to determine HIV prevention knowledge and knowledge gaps among PLHIVs in Kisii County, Western Kenya. A total 340 PLHIVs across 9 health facilities and 6 Key informants, mainly HIV managers and programmers were interviewed. We found high generalized knowledge among PLHIVs on HIV prevention, as well as on condom use, abstinence and faithfulness to a partner as prevention methods. We however found low knowledge levels on emerging biomedical prevention methods, including treatment as prevention. Similarly, despite high knowledge levels on Mother to Child Transmission (MTCT), few PLHIVs know exact phases in which MTCT can occur - pregnancy, delivery and breast feeding – with males, those depending on kin as primary income source and PLHIVs attending higher-level facilities least likely to have this knowledge. Media, health workers and HIV campaigns remain the most important communication channels for PLHIVs as regards HIV information, while peers are an important information source for males. Our observations highlight the need to further promote knowledge of various HIV prevention methodologies, especially emerging prevention methods, among specific PLHIVs socio-demographic groups that exhibit low knowledge levels
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
PLHIV, HIV Knowledge, HIV information, risk reduction, Kenya.
Citation
Wamalwa, Emmanuel., Neyole, Edward., Poipoi, Moses, & Bitok, Monicah., (2015)., Knowledge Levels and Gaps on Preventing HIV Transmission among People Living With HIV in Kisii County, Western Kenya., Journal of Human and Social Science Research; Vol. 07 (02).