Since Kenya recorded its first case of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in 1984, the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic has evolved to become one of the central impediments to national health, well being and development. Prevalence of HIV serostatus discordance is high. There is therefore need to shed light on HIV discordance as most public communication on HIV revolves around individual counseling and testing. Public communication campaigns targeting couples are not as vibrant, memorable and personalized as massages targeting individuals. This paper will review literature on the causes of HIV discordance, the challenges faced by discordant couples and the public’ perception of HIV discordant couples. It will provide insight on the various HIV communication campaigns targeting couples, in a bid to establish whether these communication messages are effective in addressing the issue of discordance.

Abstract

Child malnutrition is a global health crisis whose origin can be attributed to the culture and level of interaction between interpersonal communication participants. In Kenya as in many African countries whose communities tend to be patriarchal, women and children get the raw end of the deal when it comes to food distribution; feeding on smaller food portions and less nutritious foods thereby contributing to child malnutrition and maternal malnutrition which directly contributes to child malnutrition. Behavior change is not an automatic process and therefore interpersonal communication participants have to put in time in building a relationship with each other so as to develop respect and trust. It is only through increased interaction, that the cultural walls that anchor child malnutrition come down.