Community Participation In Combating HIV In Tanzania: A Case Study Of Mbozi District

ABSTRACT

Little is known on community participation in combating HIV in Tanzania. This study intended to examine the community participation in combating HIV in Mbozi district. In order to achieve this objective, the study used cross-sectional research design whereby primary and secondary data were collected. The study used household questionnaire survey with 100 households, interviews to key informants and Focus Group Discussion with six groups. The analysis of data involved the statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 16.0 and Microsoft excel. The study identified that there is a general awareness on combating HIV, although there were mixed feelings on some HIV/AIDS facts. The study also revealed that there is low community participation in combating HIV by using strategies such as Education (43.5%), Circumcision campaign (26.7%), CBOs and NGOs (21%) and HIV committees and by-laws (8.6%). Moreover, the study identified some challenges such as poverty, stigma, low awareness among community members and shortages of VCT services especially in rural areas. Since there is low community participation in combating HIV together with different challenges in combating HIV, the study recommends that, the government and other different stakeholders support are required to increasing access to community participation in combating HIV. Also deliberate measures have to be taken for addressing the challenges which face the community. It is more important for the government and other stakeholders to address the problem of mixed feelings on some HIV/AIDS facts by using relevant strategies.