Assessment Of Local Government Response Against HIV/AIDs Spread And Towards Prevention To Youth In Dodoma Municipal

ABSTRACT

This study was aimed to assess the local government response against HIV/AIDS spread and towards prevention to Youth in Dodoma Municipality. From the data given by (Ministry of Health Tanzania mainland HIV/AIDS/STI report 2010). It shows that Dodoma Municipal is leading with 3.2 percent of the infection rate in Dodoma region. For the purpose of obtaining sufficient data the specific objectives included: to assess the local government efforts against HIV/AIDS spread and towards prevention in Dodoma Municipality; to assess how different social groups such as NGOs, CBOs, FBOs, and health care centres are complementing and working in collaboration with local government in HIV/AIDS prevention programmes; to find out why the youth are at more risk of HIV/AIDS infection than any other age groups and to find out different linkages and challenges that local government faces in HIV/AIDS prevention to Youth. From the findings there were many factors including; lack of knowledge concerning HIV/AIDS. Out of these factors contributing to HIV/AIDS there were some efforts which were taken by local government as follows; funds allocations to different AIDS programmes, awareness creation, collaboration with social groups in HIV/AIDS, testing and counselling, provision of medical workers and facilities. The findings of the study lead to the conclusion that there is lack of education and awareness among the youth concerning the spread and prevention of HIV/AIDS. Lastly the study recommended the following; there is a need to increase education and awareness creation to the Youth concerning HIV/AIDS, also increase of cooperation with other partners such as NGOs, FBOs, CBOs, dispensaries and health care centres in this struggle against this disease, and introduce and work with it new policies, rules and regulation which will protect Youths from HIV/AIDS.