Role of culture in the spread of HIV/AIDS in Kenya.

Introduction

The intersection between culture and disease is a thought-provoking and complex area of investigation. Culture is a powerful force that shapes a society's response to epidemics and natural disasters and influences its policies. The emergence of HIV in 1982 and its rapid spread across East Africa, including Kenya, is a compelling example of how cultural beliefs and practices can impact the trajectory of a disease. In Kenya, the initial lack of understanding about HIV led to widespread misconceptions, with many viewing the disease as a punishment for engaging in illicit sexual behavior. Despite Kenya representing only 1% of the global population, it accounted for 4% of new HIV cases, a statistic that underscores the significant impact of cultural practices on transmission prevention efforts. The individualistic cultures of ethnic groups such as the Kikuyu, Luo, Kalenjin, Meru, and Kamba, which strongly emphasize family ties, personal development, and wealth accumulation, have played a crucial role in shaping the spread of HIV/AIDS in Kenya. This paper seeks to delve into the specific cultural practices that have contributed to the historical rise and dissemination of HIV/AIDS in Kenya, offering a detailed analysis of these influential factors. The correlation between culture and disease is a fascinating area of study. Culture plays a substantial role in shaping how a society deals with epidemics and natural disasters and the policies it implements. When HIV initially emerged in 1982, it quickly spread across East Africa.

Many people in Kenya interpreted HIV at a time because of engaging in illicit sexual behavior or as a form of punishment. Despite representing only 1% of the global population, Kenya accounted for 4% of new HIV cases, due to the influence of cultural practices on transmission prevention efforts. Ethnic groups such as the Kikuyu, Luo, Kalenjin, Meru, and Kamba have individualistic cultures that emphasize family ties while encouraging individual growth and wealth accumulation. The objective of this paper is to identify the specific cultural practices that have contributed to the historical increase and spread of HIV/AIDS in Kenya.

Blood-associated Practices 

The culture throughout Kenyan communities was deeply ingrained with traditional practices involving blood and body fluids. These customs, such as the ancient art of 'Mudhi,' were visually striking and served essential cultural functions. The vibrant body-painting practices were particularly prevalent among the Luo people in the Coast Province. The intricate Mudhi paintings, created using a mixture of blood and charcoal, were more than just decorative. They held significance in distinguishing between different clans, protecting one's identity, and aiding in marital selection.

Additionally, the use of menstrual blood in initiation ceremonies for young men during circumcision was a significant cultural practice. Across diverse cultures, participants would symbolically cleanse themselves with blood and urine, demonstrating the cultural significance of these rituals. However, despite their artistic importance, these practices also had unintended consequences. The direct contact of infected blood with uninfected blood during these rituals contributed to the spread of HIV/AIDS within these communities due to the substantial number of young participants involved in these ceremonies.

Sexual norms

The traditional sexual norms among the Kenyan communities also contributed significantly to the spread of HIV/AIDS as they emphasized pre-marital and extra-marital sexual relationships practiced by a significant percentage of the Kenyan population. These norms also encouraged secrecy when it came to choosing sexual partners. The risk of contracting HIV through this practice and other unhygienic practices like unsafe abortion was high for the communities that practiced it (Quenneville et al., 2020). The communities that practiced the practice were aware of the possibility of contracting HIV. Still, for reasons of ignorance and denial, they continued to engage in risky sexual behavior. They continued to engage in risky sexual behavior due to a combination of ignorance and denial. The sexual norms among the Kenyan communities also promoted homosexual relationships among women. Men seeking anal sex targeted women engaging in this practice. This behavior significantly contributed to the spread of HIV/AIDS as infected female partners were subjected to unprotected anal sex by men. 

Early Marriages 

Early marriage was a norm for many communities, especially among the Luo of the Coast Province. The rate of early marriage was high among women, especially those working in urban areas, as they did not have the time to attend schools or work as professionals to support their children, as they could afford to send them to school by sending them home after their primary education. This practice also encouraged teenage pregnancy and motherhood at an early age. Some communities practiced marriage for girls under 14 years old, resulting in high rates of adolescent pregnancy and AIDS among young women in those areas. Traditionally, girls were married off at an early age to prompt them to establish their homes and fulfill their social responsibilities (Kalama, 2018). This practice encouraged early marriage among men as well. Divorce rates were also high as the norms encouraged divorce until a man kept his marriage vows for seven years without divorcing his wife. As a result, women had no time to make new relationships after the breakdown of their marriage due to a lack of social support and economic hardship. The latter was one of the significant factors that led to the spread of HIV/AIDS in Kenya due to its prevalence in rural communities.

Widow Inheritance 

Another factor leading to the spread of HIV/AIDS in Kenya was the practice of widow inheritance. This was a widespread practice in communities where men were allowed to marry a deceased wife's sister after her death. This behavior leads to prominent levels of HIV/AIDS in the communities that practice it due to their inability to sustain themselves from their resources after divorce or the death of their spouse. They often relied on help from their families. The problem with this practice is that it encouraged polygamy by men and promoted promiscuity among women as they could not choose their husbands and were often forced into sexual relationships with them. This encouraged the spread of AIDS in Kenya due to the prominent levels of promiscuity in these communities. Due to the country's prevalent poverty levels, there was a lack of resources to address the problem. Those living in rural areas suffered most from the disease, especially among their family members (Gabbidon et al., 2020). People living in poor communities were exposed to risk factors like poverty, prostitution, and alcohol addiction. The factors above significantly contributed to the proliferation of HIV/AIDS within Kenyan communities. Despite this, these communities exhibited inadequate development due to lacking fundamental infrastructure, including access to clean water and essential healthcare facilities. Water supply and health centers could help limit transmission.

Sexual cleansing rituals were another cause for the increased spread of HIV/AIDS in Kenya, as they encouraged promiscuity and were a reminder of the high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections. They often involved the exchange of blood or semen, leading to the spread of HIV/AIDS by multiple partners. This was a widespread practice among many communities in Kenya but was not widespread among all communities despite its prevalence. This was another cultural practice among the communities that occurred when a woman was widowed or divorced. The result of these marriages or divorcees was that women lost their husbands, their children, and their homes as a result and were often forced to seek refuge in their families' homes (Kibicho & Campbell, 2019). This is common, especially among communities living in rural areas where they practice traditional marriage rites. Lack of education also played a role in the spread of HIV/AIDS. This was because most people had little exposure to anything other than traditional practices, which encouraged such practices as communal sexual cleansing rituals by men and teenage pregnancy by girls aged 14 years old or less. 

Gender Relations

Gender relations could also be a reason for the spread of HIV/AIDS in Kenya. Gender relations were poor, and this encouraged poor gender practices. Kenyan women had limited economic power and often depended on their men for income, food, and security. This meant they could not make critical decisions about HIV prevention or seek help quickly when they were infected. The result was that women who were infected with HIV/AIDS would not be able to seek medical attention for fear of being abandoned by their partners or husbands, which often led to early death. Men and women living in poverty were more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS because they lacked access to health centers and basic amenities. This resulted in higher rates of HIV/AIDS among people living in rural areas because many of them had little or no education and could not afford primary healthcare (Davis et al., 2018). There was also a problem with gender relations in Kenya because most Kenyan men had several wives and girlfriends who were often infected with HIV/AIDS by them. This was common among the traditional communities where women were given little power over their families except for making decisions regarding the welfare of their children or looking after their husbands.

Religion

Another major cause of the increased spread of HIV/AIDS in Kenya was religion. Social norms and religious beliefs encouraged people to have high rates of promiscuity, which was another major factor in the increase in HIV/AIDS cases. Religious groups such as Muslims, Christians, and other indigenous groups had prominent levels of sexual activity, resulting in many sexual partners as they practiced "sexual cleansing." These religious beliefs also led to traditional marriage practices where women were forced into relationships with men or were divorced while they were still married (Kibel et al., 2019). This was common, especially among the communities practicing traditional marriages where a woman's father or husband had the final say on her choice of a partner. The problem with this was that it promoted prominent levels of HIV/AIDS in the communities that practiced this tradition because men would desert their wives after they were infected, or they would infect them deliberately. Even worse, they would often force their daughters into early marriages, which leads to higher rates of HIV/AIDS infections due to untimely sexual initiation and poor education on preventing sexual transmission of HIV.

Conclusion

Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) poses a significant threat to public health in Kenya, leading to a high mortality rate and adversely impacting numerous Kenyan communities. The country's struggle to contain the spread of HIV/AIDS presented a formidable challenge, impeding social and economic development. The pervasive lack of awareness about safe sex practices within Kenyan society contributed to the escalation of HIV/AIDS cases and associated fatalities. Notably, most AIDS-related deaths in Kenya were attributable to preventable causes, echoing the urgent need for comprehensive public health interventions. Although recent efforts have seen a relaxation of certain cultural norms, thereby curtailing disease transmission, it is imperative to address the long-standing misinformation and cultural barriers that have perpetuated the spread of HIV/AIDS in Kenya. 

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