Factors contributing to the spread of HIV/AIDS among nomadic youths in Narok county Kenya: A case study of Narok North Dsistrict

Abstract

The youths of today are exposed to the risk of being victims of HIV/AIDS - trend which is gaining momentum as year’s progresses. Previous studies have reported that young people (between ages 15-24) form a significant segment of those who HIV/AIDS figure is raising. It is in this view that the study examined the factors contributing to the spread of HIV/AIDS among the youths in Narok North District. The literature review showed that factors contributing to the spread of HIV/AIDS among the youths were: inadequate sexual health information; limited access to health care; cultural, social and economic factors and sexual health attitudes and behavior. This study adopted survey research design. A total of 100 respondents who were selected using probability sampling methods were interviewed. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire that was self-administered with the help of research assistants. The collected data was then analyzed and presented by use of tables. The study concluded that youth have adequate informant on HIV/AIDS but their health seeking behavior is wanting and that cultural and socio economic factors influence the spread of HIV/AIDS among the youths. The study recommended that youths should be provided with friendly services, awareness should be created on the effect of retrogressive culture practices and youths should be provided with affordable education and employment opportunities for the youths