According to the latest Demographic Health Survey (DHS) from 2003, Kenya is now considered to be in the late stages of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, as adult prevalence rates have dropped from 13% in early 1990s, to 9% today. However, the impact of the epidemic is still enormous, with nearly two million people living with HIV and one million have already passed away from AIDS.
The smallholder farming communities comprise old workforce with a majority (42.3%) being 50 years and above showing a general lack of youth’s involvement in farming due to illnesses and migration into urban centres. Average household size was 7 members. 68.9% of the respondents indicated supporting other children who were not their own mainly as a result of death of one or both of the parents of these children. Assessment of people’s awareness of HIV/AIDS, their attitudes and behaviour revealed that the majority of respondents were aware of HIV/AIDS and had some information about its spread. Misperceptions on the use of condoms and the practices e.g., traditional circumcision rituals, polygamy and wife inheritance, lead to a susceptibility of the smallholder farming communities to contracting and spreading HIV/AIDS. Main sources of information on HIV/AIDS included the media (print and electronic), churches and public functions.
The study was designed by the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development (MoLFD) and supported by Promotion of Private Sector Development in Agriculture (PSDA) of the GTZ and was carried out by EPOS Health Management. The aim was to analyse the impact of HIV/AIDS on smallholder sector and define pos-sible coping measures. The study was carried out during the months of May, June and July 2004, in three districts of Kenya. Consultations with and assessments of the MoLFD, MoA and private sector stakeholders were also undertaken.
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