HIV/AIDS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

What Has Been the Impact of HIV/AIDS In Relation To Kenya Economic Development?

What Has Been the Impact of HIV/AIDS In Relation To Kenya Economic Development?

Introduction

One of the most important health challenges in the rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa is the HIV/AIDS. Of the total number of people suffering in the world from the pandemic, over 63 percent have been found to be living in the region. The most affected of these people are the ones who are heavily involved with and dependent on agriculture (UNAIDS, 2001, p. 5). The prevalence of the disease has declined over the years. This is particularly true for areas marked by easy availability and accessibility of anti-retroviral drugs commonly known as ARVs. However, the infection still calls for considerable attention in that it has and is still exerting a highly negative influence upon the economic health of the country. Unfortunately, the impact on the social dynamics is not very favourable either (UNICEF, 2000, p. 54). Hence, the disease is not only a problem for the people suffering from the disease first hand and their families and loved ones but also makes an impediment in the way of long term sustainability and economic development in developing nations.

The prevention of the disease and its management has cost associated with it which is a burden on the national growth. In addition, the death from this disease means a decline in human capital and reduction in household income. The downward spiral of livelihood degradation is possible only when HIV AIDS and its negative influence on socioeconomic development are curtailed (Parker & Jocobsen, 2009, p. 2113). This cannot be possible without developing an understanding on how the HIV/AIDS is impacting on education, microfinance, labour productivity, social capital enhancement and empowerment. The paper discusses the impact of HIV/AIDS on the aforementioned pillars of economy from the point of view of Kenya.

Impact on Education

HIV has a direct bearing on education in Kenya. However, there is not enough research to determine the magnitude of this impact. The latest publication of World Bank suggests that the demand and supply of education has been affected due to HIV/Aids. There are two sides to this dwindling demand for education. On the one hand the disease is affecting the population size which means that there are less number of children to be enrolled in schools (Oloo & Ojwang, 2010, p. 14). On the other hand, the problem is aggravated because the children who are eligible to be entered into school belong to poor households that do not have sufficient resources. Education of children for these families is a luxury beyond affordability. Uganda is an example of most number of child headed households. The children in these child headed households are stigmatized by society and face prejudice (Fox et. al., 2004, p. 318).

The challenge is to increase the level of education at a national level in that it is one of the strongest tools in the curtailment of the ...