Involvement Of Youth Living With HIV and AIDS

Prevention of HIV transmission amongst youths poses a major challenge globally and Kenya is no exception. This study was conducted at Comprehensive Care Center (CCC) of Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. The study aim was to find out if youths living with HIV and AIDS are effectively involved in dissemination of HIV prevention information amongst peers. The study further explored knowledge currently acquired by youths in the CCC, opportunities, barriers and suggestions of greater involvement, as they get involved in information dissemination. Qualitative and focused group discussions methodologies were applied with youths aged 15-24 years who disclosed their HIV status. The study revealed that though youths in the CCC have greater knowledge on AIDS as well as opportunities for dissemination, stigma and discrimination is a great hindrance and there is a need to deal with this if infected youths will be effective in contributing to Zero infections among their peers in their communities.