Assessing the livelihood strategies of HIV and AIDS affected households receiving RAPIDS support in Chainda, Zambia

Abstract

The key findings revealed that one in every four households in the sampled households is affected by HIV and AIDS or had a chronically ill patient. Furthermore, the results showed that 6% of the respondents had gone through secondary education and 41% had not gone to school. The major source of income within the community is casual work and farming activities. In Chainda area these sources of income accounted for about 34% and 32% of the households respectively. Overpopulation was cited as a problem by the respondents due to retirees and those who have been retrenched from the ipdustries there by creating more pressure on land allocation. Limited land was used to rear livestock that include 20% pigs and 50% goats. It was observed that previously during the; RAPIDS project, a large number of chickens were raised by beneficiary households. The research revealed that there were some variations in livelihood strategies between the different households based on availability and access to natural resources. In some poorer households farming (vegetable production) is the main livelihood strategy; while in some less poor households they depend on informal labour. In addition, livestock rearing is more extensive in the middle class and rich households due to the fact that they have greater access to pasture to feed their animals. Although livestock rearing exists in almost all households, small livestock seems to be more viable. Almost all households engaged in specialised service oriented livelihoods such as: carpentry, security guards, domestic work and gardening. This shows the varied development approaches or livelihood which can be used in addressing the impact of HIV and AIDS in households. Hence, development agencies working in peri-urban communities should consider incorporating livelihood programmes that target HIV and AIDS affected households in their core work environment. This requires analysis of the livelihoods of those infected with or affected by HIV and AIDS, but also how such programmes can best address the effects on their livelihoods. The specific measures that can be taken in an overall approach of integration with core development policies and activities include employment, awareness, diversifying sources of income and investment in assets. Therefore, more and more HIV and AIDS development initiatives should consider mainstreaming these approaches into development approaches in order to reverse the impact of HIV and AIDS on people living in peri-urban settings.