Pandit J.A., Sirotin N., Tittle R., Onjolo E., Bukusi E.A., Cohen C.R.
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, United States; Department of Medicine, San Diego School of Medicine, University of California, United States; Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, United States; Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya
Pandit, J.A., Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, United States; Sirotin, N., Department of Medicine, San Diego School of Medicine, University of California, United States, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, United States; Tittle, R., Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, United States; Onjolo, E., Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya; Bukusi, E.A., Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya; Cohen, C.R., Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, United States
HIV/AIDS negatively impacts poverty alleviation and food security, which reciprocally hinder the rapid scale up and effectiveness of HIV care programs. Nyanza province has the highest HIV prevalence (15.3%), and is the third highest contributor (2.4 million people) to rural poverty in Kenya. Thus, we tested the feasibility of providing a micro-irrigation pump to HIV-positive farmers in order to evaluate its impact on health and economic advancement among HIV-positive patients and their families. Methods. Thirty HIV-positive patients enrolled in the Family AIDS Care and Education Services (FACES) program in Kisumu, Kenya were provided a micro-financed loan to receive an irrigation pump and farming guidance from KickStart, the developer of the pump. Economic data, CD4 counts, household health and loan repayment history were collected 12 months after the pumps were distributed. Results. Mean annual family income increased by $1,332 over baseline. CD4 counts did not change significantly. Though income increased, only three (10%) participants had paid off more than a quarter of the loan. Conclusions. We demonstrated the feasibility of an income-generating micro-irrigation intervention among HIV-positive patients and the collection of health and economic data. While family income improved significantly, loan repayment rates were low- likely complicated by the drought that occurred in Kenya during the intervention period. © 2010 Pandit et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
agriculture; article; economics; financial management; health status; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; income; information processing; pilot study; socioeconomics; Agriculture; Financial Support; Focus Groups; Health Status; HIV Infections; Humans; Income; Pilot Projects; Socioeconomic Factors