Influence of HIV/AIDS Counselling Services on the Quality of Life of Church Members in Selected Churches in Nakuru Municipality, Kenya

Abstract

Globally and in the Africa continent HIV/AIDS has become a pandemic that has affected more than 34 million people. The world has responded to the pandemic by creating counselling services to improve the quality of life. Churches are increasingly getting involved in HIV/AIDS Counselling Services to help improve the quality of life of church members in Nakuru Municipality. However, no studies have been conducted to assess the influence of HIV/AIDS counselling services on the quality of life of church members in Nakuru Municipality. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of HIV/AIDS counselling services on the quality of life of church members in selected churches in Nakuru Municipality. This research adopted an ex Post facto causal comparative research design. The target population of the study was Shabab Africa Inland Church, Nakuru West -Presbyterian Church of East Africa- and Christ the King Cathedral- Catholic Church in Nakuru Municipality with a population of five thousand, six hundred and forty three (5643) members. Accessible population of 225 respondents was the sample for the study; these included 3 pastors, 27 men, 114 women, 75 youth, and six counsellors. Questionnaires were used to collect data. Experts from the Department of Psychology, Counselling and Educational Foundations were consulted to assess the content, construction and face validity of the questionnaires and a pilot study was conducted in Deliverance Church Nakuru. The reliability of questionnaires was estimated by use of Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient where values above 0.70 were accepted. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) programme. The study recommends and the government in motivating people to get involved in establishing and utilising counselling services to enhance the quality of life of the people in churches in Nakuru County.