Impact of Daystar University's Campaign Against HIV/AIDS: A Study of the Transformation of Knowledge, Attitude, and Behaviour Patterns Among the Kyumbi Community of Machakos District, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of Daystar University's campaign against HIV/AIDs in terms of transformation of knowledge, attitude, and behaviour patterns among the Kyumbi community. In order to achieve this, the study identified and described knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour patterns in relation to HIV/AIDS among the people of Kyumbi. In addition, the extent to which the ongoing Daystar University's campaign had impacted on their knowl- edge, attitudes, and behaviour patterns, was also explored. Further, the study identified and described emerging relationships between the level of awareness and the behaviours associated with the prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS. Moreover, the study identified barriers to behaviour change in order to develop relevant intervention strategies. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 200 respondents who ad- ministered the questionnaires. Five focus group discussions were held, which comprised of the youth, women, men, counselors, and prostitutes. The majority of Kyumbi population was found to be young, educated, unem- ployed, and poor. Daystar University's campaign in Kyumbi showed high level of understanding about the nature, transmission, symptoms, and prevention of HIV/ AIDS infection. But this knowledge had not been fully translated to changes in attitudes, and behaviour. Fear of death had helped to change behaviour in some cases. No one had gone public about his or her HIV/AIDS status. Different levels of education, age, gender, occupation, affected the level and speed of awareness creation. The community did not regard AIDS as a curse from God. The parents had started discussing HIV/AIDS with their children. The community appreci- ated relevant information as necessary in combating the spread of HIV/AIDS.