Abstract:
Human Immunodeficiency Virus is an infection which weakens the immune system of our
body capable for battling off contaminations and infections. Aids is the final stage of HIV
contamination. HIV is transmitted through unprotected sex with infected persons, mother to
child transmission, contact blood contaminations among others. The research problem studied
the effects of HIV support programs to students’ academic performance in Molo Sub County
in Nakuru County Kenya. The study aimed at determining how schools communities support
those students whose family members are infected, the psychological factors of students
whose family live with HIV in Molo, Nakuru, Kenya, explored the experiences of secondary
school students whom family members are infected by HIV in Molo and also assessing the
associations between infections and academic performance among the students in Molo.
Molo Sub County has 27 public secondary schools where simple random sampling method
was used to select 5 schools where data was collected. Target population were students from
the sub county majoring form students four since they had more knowledge about HIV.The
study had a target population of 7600 from which the study was based. The research used
census sampling method whereby all affected students were included from the selected
schools. Tool used in collecting data was questionnaire where closed ended questions was
administered. Data was analyzed by use of descriptive statistics using SPSS software to
compute frequencies and percentages.Data were interpreted using tables. The entire research
was confidential and honest to students. A total of 60 questionnaires were administered. The
research had a response rate of 100% with more female respondents than male at 60% and
40%respectively. Majority of respondents agreed that school community supports them in
dealing with HIV of their families. Most of them also agreed that they have enough
experiences that enable them to respond to stigma accordingly and do well academically. The
study concluded that support programs by school community have been effective, inclusivity
of affected students, community support have been positively influencing academic
performance. and psychological mediation has helped students to do well through support
from teachers which help affected students to balance HIV infections management and
academic progress. Accessibility to health care services has helped respondents to positively
cope with the effects. The study recommended support programs to be enhanced and schools
to work closely with government intervention through financial support to increase support
system to affected students so as to mitigate the effect.