hiv/aids and disability: new research findings from kenya - lse presentation 20 may 2010
DESCRIPTION
LSE Disability public lecture 20 May 2010[1]HIV/AIDS And Disability: New Research Findings From Kenya Speaker: Dr Sam Tororei.This event was recorded on 20 May 2010 in New Theatre, East Building.The WHO estimates that 10 per cent of the population in poor countries is disabled. Disabled people have and want sexual lives – and, because of their disabilities, they may also be sexually abused and exploited. In this lecture Dr Sam Tororei from the Nairobi based Regional AIDS Training Network (RATN) will present findings from the most recent research. He will talk about how in Kenya steps are being taken to protect disabled people from sexual abuse while encourage them to lead full sexual lives, this in an environment where HIV infection is an ever present threat. The lecture will be of particular interest to those interested in health, disability, HIV/AIDS, Kenya, gender and sexuality issues.Available as: mp3 (30 MB; approx 65 minutes)Event Posting: HIV/AIDS And Disability: New Research Findings From KenyaTRANSCRIPT
HIV/AIDS and Disability: new research findings from Kenya
By
Dr. S.K. Tororei
ABBA RPC ProjectRegional AIDS Training Network
INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTIONNew findings emerging from ABBA research
consortium with support from the UK people through DfID
ABBA stands for Addressing the Balance of Burden of HIV&AIDS and aims at providing evidence to broaden understanding of the burden of HIV/AIDS on vulnerable groups.
Regional AIDS Training Network (as ABBA partner) is focusing on identifying factors inhibiting or exacerbating spread of HIV/AIDS among People with Disabilities (PWDs) in Kenya and Ethiopia.
RATN is a network of 25 member institutions in Eastern and Southern Africa Region working in capacity building for HIV/AIDS response.
WHO estimates that globally 10% of population has a disability severe enough to affect daily life.
Kenya estimates prevalence at 4.6% (Kenya National Survey of persons with disabilities 2007).
Magnitude of disability in Kenya between 2 and 4 million; estimated population of 40 million.
CONTEXT
Understanding DisabilityUnderstanding DisabilityPre-existing definition
Generally disability is defined according to context and purpose: medico- legal definition preferred in service provision (registration, education etc). While socially constructed definitions stressing the disabling nature of ones environment are preferred by disability activists and advocates.
Understanding Disability Understanding Disability cont..cont..Latest definition
•Persons with disability include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on equal basis with others(UN CRPD 2006)
•This definition is likely to bridge all two definitions although there is resistance by both people living with AIDS and PWD’ s, each contending in the case of the former, that they are not disabled ,and in the case of the latter that they are not sick.
Key Issues and new evidenceKey Issues and new evidence
Sexuality
Knowledge of
HIV/AIDS
Access to Services
Policy environment
Future Prospects
Sexual Behavior of PWDSexual Behavior of PWD
Contrary to the perception that PWDs are not sexually active, from this study 89% were found to be sexually active, blind (95%), and deaf (80%). Only 39% indicated being married or in cohabiting relationship with a significant proportion therefore being in non –marital sexual relationships
First sexual encounter and proportion that engaged in sex at or below 16 years
Risky Sexual BehaviourRisky Sexual Behaviour
While engaging in sex is normal, multiple partners without consistent use of condoms in every sexual encounter increases the risk of contracting HIV. Overall, 15% recorded multiple partners. Deaf recorded the highest proportion with multiple partners at 20% , blind 11% and PWPDs 14%.
Proportion with multiple partners
HIV/AIDS and Disability Information
Knows about HIV/AIDS
Has access to HIV information
Knows how to prevent HIV
Ever been tested for HIV
No.
ResidenceRural 82.7 64.0 64.0 13.0 2,447Urban 90.4 82.4 81.4 28.5 648SexMale 84.2 69.8 69.8 15.5 1,501Female 84.4 66.0 65.5 16.5 1,594Highest level of education attendedNursery 51.6 32.7 30.5 6.9 98Primary 88.2 72.9 71.7 14.4 1,461Post Primary
97.4 91.3 94.1 29.5 428
Post Secondary
99.5 97.6 97.5 46.2 183
Total 89.1 76.5 76.1 19.7 2,195Source: Kenya National Survey for PWD, 2007
Access to ServicesAccess to Services
Main barriers sited for PWDs not accessing HIV and AIDS treatment and care services was financial difficulties (30% of respondents). Distance to the health facility is a major barrier for PWPD and rural residence ( 43% and 31% respectively). Communication is a major concern among the deaf at 26% and lack of care among the blind at 38%.
Barriers to Accessing HIV and AIDS Treatment and Health Care Services by PWD
ReflectionsReflectionsEvidence indicates increasing
understanding of PWDs and HIV/AIDS is critical to the development of effective HIV/AIDS response.
Limited research exist in understanding the epidemic among vulnerable groups like PWDs
Need for developing partners to commit more resources (technical support, research funding, program implementation)
AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements
Special thanks to DFID for funding assistance
ABBA Scientific Advisory Board team
Tony Barnett (for his wisdom)ABBA Partners
Asante Sana