| dc.description.abstract | The study investigates the cultural beliefs, practices and norms of the Luo Community in
relation to the transmission and prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Bondo region from a
historical perspective. By focusing on the beach settlements and the neighbouring islands
which are highly cosmopolitan, the study aims at highlighting the existence of other
factors responsible for the high prevalence rates in the region apart from the perceived
cultural beliefs and practices of the Luo.
Scholarlyliterature on HIV/AIDS in Africa, Kenya, and Nyanza is medically oriented to
the extent of ignoring the social cultural dimensions of the pandemic. Consequently,
information about historical permutations of social mores, belief systems, sexual
practices and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa is fragmented. Unless mY/AIDS
in Nyanza is analyzed within the social context of the region, misconceptions that Luo
culture is the culprit responsible for the spread of the pandemic will persist. HIV/AIDS is
deeply rooted in political, economic and culture forces which interrelate, and whose
impacts have got far reaching implications on the life of the people of Bondo, as well as
on development.
The study was guided by a theoretical framework based on "risk" analysis model as
explained by the dictionary of Epidemiology. In the attempts to analyze the prevalence
of mY/AIDS in Bondo, epidemiology as applied, implies the study of distribution of
health related or events in specified populations and the application of the very study to
the control of health problems.
In order to achieve relevance and reliability, both primary and secondary materials
relevant to the study were used. The study however, relied on fieldwork as the fountain
of most information that has been incorporated in the research fmdings. The research
reveals that what goes on at the benches of Bondo affects their environs. Further, it
reveals that it is not Luo culture as such that has predisposed the people living in Bondo
to my JAIDS, but rather, the fact that indigenous cultures have been undermined by
economic hardships. Among other consequences, these have resulted in the beach culture
manifesting itself in perverted sex practices in places such as Misori, Lwanda K'otieno,
Uhanya, Wichlurn, Wagusu and Usenge. The beach culture is subversive to the extent
that it poses challenges in designing appropriate measurers to manage my/ AIDS in the
region.
Recommendations are made to the effect that there must be collective responsibility in
the management of HIV/AIDS in the region. More emphasis should be directed towards
Health Education. | en_US |
