Factors influencing implementation of out-of-school youth prevention projects in Mbita District, Kenya

Abstract

This study explores factors influencing implementation of out-of-school HIV prevention projects in Mbita district, Kenya. The study was guided by the following research objectives; to determine the extent to which technical skills of personnel influences implementation of out-ofschool youth HIV/AIDS prevention projects in Mbita district; to assess how level of stakeholders involvement influence implementation of out-of-school youth HIV/AIDS prevention projects in Mbita district; to establish the extent to which availability of resources influences delivery of out-of-school youth HIV/AIDS prevention projects in Mbita district and above all to assess the degree to which the monitoring and evaluation of the project influences implementation of outof-school youth HIV/AIDS prevention projects for youths in Mbita district. The hypotheses tested aimed at establishing dependency between implementation of HIV projects and: personnel skills, level of stakeholder involvement, availability of resources and project monitoring and evaluation. This study was supported by a comprehensive literature review section in Chapter Two. Descriptive research survey design was used on a population census. Questionnaires were administered to 3 program staffs for each of the 11 institutions managing HIV programs in Mbita district. Data was collected and was analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 18 computer program. The findings were presented in the form of tables. The hypotheses were tested using chi-square test. Results showed that implementation of HIV projects and; technical skills of personnel, stakeholders’ involvement and monitoring and evaluation of programs depend on each other. On the other hand, implementation of out-of-school HIV prevention projects and amount of resources are independent. Based on the results, the study recommended that the Kenyan government needs to increase the number of people who know their HIV status by promoting and expanding access to HIV testing policies that could lead to improvement of implementation of HIV projects. Government should set up policies the minimized inequalities and discrimination in doth education and employment. HIV control programmes should establish harmonized indicators and standard reporting and recording templates to collect data for monitoring and evaluation of collaborative HIV activities. HIV control programmes should implement procedures for voluntary, acceptable and confidential HIV counseling and testing for health-care providers and for reduction of occupational exposure to HIV infection in their services. It is hoped that the findings of the study will allow program facilitators to determine areas of strength and weakness, outcomes on HIV/STI rates and the program’s impact on the target population’s behaviors, beliefs and attitudes concerning HIV/AIDS. In particular, the implementers are likely to use the findings to re-design the program to meet needs of most at risk population and vulnerable groups. Working with this study may help inform future donor-funded HIV/AIDs prevention projects by drawing specific lessons on the factors influencing the implementation of the projects.