Effect of HIV/AIDS on Social Welfare of Elderly Caregivers in Igembe South Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of HIV/AIDS on social welfare of elderly caregivers in Igembe South SubCounty. Descriptive survey design was adopted where a purposively selected sample of 220 elderly caregivers were involved in the focus group discussions and key informants interviews. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the data. The study established that lack of participation in social activities affected the elderly caregivers’ interpersonal relationships negatively and felt that they were treated unfairly by the community because of stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS. The study recommended that stakeholders like NGOs, CBOs, Government and members of public need to develop and implement programmes that will assist elderly caregivers in prevention stigma and discrimination from the society, hence improve their social welfare.