Influence of pastoral care in combating HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination: a case of Methodist church Kaaga Synod in the Meru county

Abstract

HIV -related stigma and discrimination exist worldwide. In Kenya, as elsewhere, stigma has been accompanied by discrimination affecting HIV transmission patterns and access to care and support. Stigma interferes with attempts to fight the AIDS epidemic. People fear discrimination and they refrain from seeking testing. Those who test positive may refuse to disclose their status, or change their behaviour to avoid negative reactions. This study was conducted to assess the influence of pastoral care in combating HIV stigma and discrimination. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of pastoral support in combating HIV / AIDS related stigma and discrimination, to explore the influence of information in combating HIV / AIDS related stigma and discrimination, to determine the influence of pastoral counseling in combating HIV / AIDS related stigma and discrimination and to establish the influence of advocacy in combating HIV / AIDS related stigma and discrimination in MCK Kaaga Synod.

Descriptive survey design was used. The target population included 265 members of which; 160 were church members, 75 HIV positive persons and 30 ministers. A sample size of 79 was selected through stratified random sampling. The study concluded that pastoral support helps in reducing HIV / AIDS stigma and discrimination in the sense that it demonstrates Gods love through prayers, encouragement and material support to the suffering, provision of accurate information does significantly reduce HIV stigma and discrimination in the sense that misconceptions about HIV transmission routes are addressed and corrected, pastoral counseling has positive influence in combating HIV related stigma and discrimination because it helps in cultivating a positive attitude and also guides the infected to live positively with the virus.

Advocacy has a positive effect towards the reduction of HIV stigma and discrimination since people living with HIV / AIDS are encouraged to take a participatory role' in policy formulation and program implementation. From the study the following recommendations were made that; the church should have zero tolerance for HIV / AIDS stigma and discrimination and do all that is necessary to eliminate rejection, fear and oppression of the infected and affected in the community.

It should start home care programs to support orphans and other needy children with basic necessities, the church should provide accurate information about transmission risks and prevention of HIV / AIDS, about the economic and social pressures that make (especially women and girls) vulnerable to unsafe sex, about where to get care, support and medical treatment for those infected. The church should offer pastoral counseling to those infected with HIV / AIDS since it reduces the. experience of stigma and discrimination, increases the number of those who seek voluntary testing for HIV treatment and helps them to live positively. The church should ensure active participation of the clergy, the laity and HIV positive persons in combating HIV stigma and discrimination.