Influence of academic model providing access to health care program on participation of pupils with human immunodeficiency virus in primary schools in Wareng sub-county, Uasin-gishu county, Kenya

Abstract

Academic model providing access to health care Program (AMPATH) currently empowers children with HIV, orphans and vulnerable children with HIV, their families in Kenya, and communities to build a foundation of action and hope for a healthy and sustainable future by offering every eligible child within AMPATH catchment area access to education, protection, shelter, food security, psychosocial support, medical care and economic security. The AMPATH program currently provides services to HIV-infected and affected children within seven AMPATH clinic areas - Eldoret (MTRH), Burnt Forest, Iten, Kabarnet, Mosoriot, and Turbo. Currently, there are over 20,000 children registered in the OVC program. Descriptive survey study design including both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies was used to describes a research design as a plan, structure and strategy of investigation to obtain answers to research questions and control variance. The study used a sample size of 80 respondents constituted/ made up of school principals, class teachers,community health workers and social workers who work with the population of 800 pupils who are infected by HIV and supported directly by Ampath programme in twenty three primary schools within wareng sub-county Uasin Gishu county. The study used simple radom sampling and striatfied sampling method for this study. The head teachers, class teachers, CHWs and social workers, were radomly chose for this study making a total of 80 respondents. Data collected will be edited, coded, cleaned and entered into statistical Package for Social scientists (SPSS). 98% of respondent answered that Ampath programme enhances participation of pupils with HIV in primary schools, it make pupils to reducing falling sick here and there, it reduces symptoms of HIV in pupils through taking ARVs, its stigma associated with HIV because of HIV symptoms, ARVs is free which enables the pupils to access it any time and also enable the savings from parents and guardian sf the pupil,it enhances performance ,build love, hope and support system within pupils with HIV. Although they were of the Ampath programme does not improve on outomatic participation of pupils with HIV in primary schools. 90% of class teachers agreed that ampath programme enhances attendence levels and increases participation, it promots hope and love within the pupils. Head teachers, Ampath programm enables intergration of HIV pupils withi other normal pupils so there is identification, social workers agreed that Ampath programme creats an enabling environment for all the pupils HIV to attend school and the community health workers agreed that throgh sponsordhip from ampath programme pupils have futur and hope to participate in school. The study recommend that ampath programme involve parents and guardians of these pupil in all step, school management to support and love these pupils and also recommended sponsorship adhered to.