HIV-POSITIVE CHILDREN IN NAIROBI-WEST: A STUDY OF THEIR MENTAL AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES

In this study the relationship between Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Status, self-concept, behavioral attitudes and progress in academic performance of pupils in selected primary schools in Narobi - west, Kenya was evaluated. The main aim was to investigate how the self-concept, behavioral attitudes and academic performance may interact with each other in the face of HIV/AIDS scourge and the likely outcomes. The study consisted of 308 pupils, selected from class 4, 5, 6, 7 and class 8 in nine primary schools in Nairobi West District, Kenya. The nine schools were sampled from about 132 schools. The study included HIV infected children from various children's homes and normal family set-ups who were enrolled as pupils in these schools. The results provided evidence that; there was significant relationship between HIV status and the pupils' self-concept, behavioral attitudes and academic performance. Moreover there was strong and significant correlation between self-concept behavioral attitudes and academic performance. Based on the findings it was recommended that there is need to strengthen both the psychological and behavioral interventions in the formal learning of the HIV infected pupils in both public and private primary schools.