Mbutitia Francisca Ngithi & Mulambula Shikuku
ABSTRACT
The gender disparity in education is widening in places with high prevalence of Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The purpose of the study was to establish girls’ characteristics that influence the levels of prevalence of HIV and AIDS psychosocial stressors. The mixed research approach was used. Schools were categorised into mixed primary and secondary, girls only schools and special institution; 294 girls infected or affected by HIV and AIDS were purposively sampled while snowball method was used to trace 15 girls who had dropped out of school. Data was collected using questionnaires, interviews and documents analysis. Chi-square (χ2) was used to test the hypotheses at alpha= 0.05. In-depth descriptions were also used to complement the numeric data. The conclusion was that the age and the type of school do not have significant influence on the prevalence of HIV and AIDS psychosocial stressors among girls in school. The parental status and class level of a girl were found to have significant influence on the prevalence of HIV and AIDS psychosocial stressors. The HIV and AIDS psychosocial stressors were found to negatively influence the quality of girls’ education hence lowering the quality of the outcomes. We recommend that girls be cared for by concerned adults to reduce the prevalence of HIV and AIDS psychosocial stressors. The care and concern builds resilience in the face of HIV and AIDS adversity hence cope with HIV and AIDS psychosocial stressors. This leads to quality education and quality outcomes.
Key Words: parental status, psychosocial stressors, HIV and AIDS
Contact: Mbutitia Francisca Ngithi; Moi University, School of Education, Department of Educational Psychology. Email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 0721884330/0739884330
To cite this article: Mbutitia Francisca Ngithi; Girls Characteristics And Levels Of HIV and AIDS Psychosocial Stressors: Implication On Quality Education For Girls., Journal of African Studies in Educational Management and Leadership,
Available online December 2014
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