JOSHUA WAFULA

JOSHUA WAFULA
951/23
HIV & AIDS COUNSELLING
MD. JANE NGATIA
EAST AFRICA INSTITUTE OF PROFFESIONAL COUNSELLING
18/11/2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page 1: Cover Page

Page 2: Table of contents & Introduction
Page 8: Conclusion
INTRODUCTION
HIV and AIDS remain a major public health problem around the world, affecting different age
groups differently.
This paper considers the perspectives of people of different age groups, including older people,
young people, and middle-aged families, on their understanding of HIV and AIDS.
Through my personal interview with Ken, this paper aims to shed light on the level of
awareness, challenges encountered during the interviews, and recommendations to improve
awareness efforts in Kenya. I requested Ken if I could do an interview with him and he
accepted.
An interview with my friend Ken was conducted to understand different perspectives on the
topic of HIV and AIDS education. As his close acquaintance, Ken provided valuable insight into
her awareness and knowledge of HIV and AIDS-related issues.
The main purpose of this interview was to explore Ken's understanding of key aspects of HIV
and AIDS, including his understanding of what it means, how it is transmitted, what it means to
be HIV positive, and his understanding of HIV medications.
This introduction establishes a personal connection with interviewee Ken and sets the stage to
explore the nuances of his perceptions of HIV and AIDS.
The aim is not only to capture his personal perspective, but also to contribute to the broader
discussion on HIV and AIDS awareness by presenting insights from trusted and empathetic
sources.
The next section of the assignment provides a detailed analysis of Ken's responses, challenges
during the interview, and recommendations to improve HIV and AIDS awareness efforts.
Meaning of HIV and AIDS:
Ken fully understands the difference between HIV and AIDS as explained below
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus):
HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, especially CD4 cells (T cells) which helps the
immune system fight infections.
Transmission: - HIV is transmitted primarily through unprotected sex, sharing of contaminated
needles between drug users, and mother-to-child transmission during childbirth and
breastfeeding, but also through blood transfusions and Infection from organ transplants is rare
but from an infected donor.
Infection Stage: - When a person is infected with HIV, they are said to be HIV positive. During
this stage, individuals may not experience any symptoms or may have flu-like symptoms, and
they can transmit the virus to others.
Without proper medical intervention, HIV infection can progress over time. However, with early
detection and treatment, the progression can be slowed down, and the immune system can be
preserved.
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome):
AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV infection. It is diagnosed when the immune system is
severely damaged, and the individual becomes vulnerable to opportunistic infections or certain
cancers.
Diagnosis of AIDS is usually made when the CD4 cell count falls below a certain threshold or
when certain AIDS-defining diseases occur, such as opportunistic infections or cancer.
Symptoms: - People with AIDS may experience a variety of symptoms, including weight loss,
persistent fever, diarrhea, and other infections. These symptoms occur because the immune
system is unable to fight infections effectively.
If left untreated, HIV infection can progress to AIDS over a period of years. However, with the
advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART), which helps to control the virus's replication, the
progression to AIDS can be significantly delayed or even prevented. In summary, HIV is the virus
that causes the infection, and AIDS is the advanced stage of that infection.
Effective treatment with antiretroviral drugs can slow down the progression of HIV and prevent
it from advancing to AIDS, allowing individuals with HIV to live longer, healthier lives.
According to him, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the immune
system, specifically CD4 cells, and if left untreated can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome).
He emphasized that while HIV is a virus that causes an infectious disease, AIDS is an advanced
stage of the disease characterized by severe damage to the immune system.
How people get infected: Ken demonstrated a clear understanding of how HIV is transmitted.
He cited:
- sex without protective equipment,
- sharing needles among drug users,
- And transmission from infected mothers to their children during childbirth and
breastfeeding.
His awareness also extended to the importance of protection during sex and the risks
associated with sharing needles, thereby reflecting a healthy understanding of precautions.
Meaning of HIV-positive status: When discussing what it means to be HIV-positive, Ken

demonstrated a nuanced understanding.
He acknowledged that being HIV positive means you have the virus but not AIDS.
Recognizing the importance of regular examinations and early detection, Ken emphasized the
role of timely medical intervention in the effective management of symptoms.
How HIV drugs work: Ken has demonstrated an admirable understanding of how HIV drugs
work.
He explained that antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) are the main drugs used to treat HIV by inhibiting
the replication of the virus and reducing its impact on the immune system.
Mr.Ken emphasized the importance of strict adherence to the medication regimen, stressing
that continued use can effectively control the virus, extend lifespan and maintain a high quality
of life.
Additional Insight: During his interview, Ken expressed great interest in dispelling common
myths surrounding HIV and AIDS.
He shared anecdotes from his own experiences and emphasized the importance of clearing up
misconceptions within the community to reduce his prejudice.
Ken further emphasized the need to openly discuss HIV and AIDS to raise awareness and create
a supportive environment for people living with the virus.
Challenges faced during the interview:

Despite Ken's willingness to share his knowledge, the existence of certain social stigmas related
to HIV and AIDS was a notable challenge. Ken described examples where misinformation and
judgment have prevented honest conversations about the virus.
This highlighted the continued need to eliminate stigma and strengthen education within the
community.
Awareness Recommendations:
Ken conducts community-based awareness programs, leverages social media platforms, and
engages local influencers to reach diverse audiences proposed to involve.
He emphasized the importance of tailoring awareness-raising activities to specific cultural and
social challenges, thereby fostering more inclusive and informed communities.
Ken's insights provide a valuable perspective on HIV and AIDS awareness, and reflect not only
individual knowledge but also the broader societal influences that influence perceptions and
challenges in addressing this important public health issue.
It also reflects the background.
How more sensitization can be done on HIV & AIDS to reach more people in Kenya.
1. Developing educational programs for different ages, educational levels, and cultural
backgrounds to ensure that the information is relevant to different populations.
2. We use technology, such as social media, mobile apps, and websites, to disseminate
information. Digital platforms are effective in reaching a wide audience, as many
Kenyans have access to mobile phones. Interactive apps and social media campaigns can
actively engage users.
3. Engage with communities by involving community leaders, religious leaders, and
influencers in HIV and AIDS awareness campaigns.
4. Integrate comprehensive HIV and AIDS education into school curricula which will help
young people receive accurate information early and reduce stigma associated with the
virus.
5. Develop campaigns that are culturally sensitive and respect local traditions and beliefs.
Understanding and incorporating cultural nuances makes information more acceptable
and understandable to your target audience.
6. Ensure that health services related to HIV and AIDS are easily accessible. These include
testing centers, counseling services and antiretroviral treatment for early detection and
treatment.
7. Implement a peer education program in which individuals knowledgeable about HIV and
AIDS serve as educators in the community who can effectively communicate with
colleagues, dispel myths, and advance testing and prevention efforts.
8. Collaborate with mainstream and community media on awareness campaigns.

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Meaning of HIV-positive status: When discussing what it means to be HIV-positive, Ken

Challenges faced during the interview:

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