A study on the use of religion in counseling HIV/AIDS patients

Abstract

HIV/AIDS is among the most serious diseases in the world today. It's impact is more than a medical issue. This is because HIVIAIDS has affected all aspects of human life. HIVIAIDS patients and their families not only suffer from the physical impact of \ the epidemic, they have also to face the economic, social, spiritual and psychological impact. Besides other methods of counselling, this study shows the significance of incorporating faith and medicine in the management of diseases, particularly HIVIAIDS. Although religious healing is practised by various people in Kenya today, this study emphasizes that a combination of religion and medicine may perhaps provide one of the best ways to manage particular diseases such as AIDS. This study therefore ventured to clarify the role of religion in counselling HIVIAIDS patients at Kenyatta National HospiraL-" The study is based on both library and field research. A simple random sampling method was used to draw a sample from Kenyatta National Hospital among the patients, their relatives, counsellors, administrators and chaplains. The data collected from the field was obtained through the following methods:questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, direct observation, informal interviews, serrunar attendance on HIVIAIDS counselling and public lecture attendance on HIVIAIDS epidemic by the Association of People with AIDS. The study found out that, HIVIAIDS epidemic has had adverse impacts on the patient, the family and the society. It was also established that Kenyatta National Hospital offers different kinds of counselling services to its patients. It was also found out that use of religion in counselling is effective, because majority of HIV/AIDS patients at the hospital have a religious background. Lastly, the study found out that stigmatization and confidentiality remain major problems in dealing with the HIVIAIDS epidemic. From the findings it was concluded that first HIVIAIDS epidemic has and very negative economic, social, cultural and spiritual impacts on the patient, institution and the society. Second counselling inclusive of religion plays a major role in the Management of HIVIAIDS patients. Third, religion also provides preventive strategies in the spread of HIV throsgh.its education on sexual values and norms. '" Based on this study, the following recommendations have surfaced for reflection and action: Firstly, there is more need to create HIV/AIDS awareness and provide tangible services in terms of resource for both the patient and the hospital through religious organizations. Secondly, religion should teach that suffering is part of life, love and care, therefore should come before stigmatization, condemnation and rejection. Thirdly, religious leaders and members should be more involved in home-based care. Fourthly. religion should give some more alternatives to cultural practices as wife inheritance, wife cleansing and sharing of wives among others so as to curb the spread of HIV. Fifthly, spiritual counselling is necessary and important; therefore Kenyatta National Hospital should emphasize more on the use of religion in counselling HIVIAIDS patients