ABSTRACT

The main objectives of the study was to uncover the effects of HIV/ AIDS on academic performance among children, it more specifically sought to find out the factors contribution to rapid spread of HIV/ AIDS, causes of poor academic performance, and the effects of HIV/AIDS on academic performance It was carried out in Butula Division ofBusia District in Kenya It was based on hypothesis that there is a relationship between HIV/ AIDS prevalence and socio- economic conditions of households, that there a relationship between academic performance on HIV/AIDS prevalence, and that academic performance is influenced by sociol-economic conditions of households in Butula Division. To achieve these objectives, both primary and Secondary Data were used. Various data collection techniques were employed. These include questionnaires and interviews. The sample comprised of fifty respondents, which included twenty five primary schools children affected with HIV/ AIDS and twenty five key informants. The Data collected was analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis. The study was based on structural functionalism theory by Talcott Parson which postulates that society is self-regulating system of interrelated elements with structured social relationship and observed regulates. The study found out that there several factors which contributes to rapid spread and prevalence of HIV/ AIDS in Butula Division. These factors ranges from socio-economic, cultural to psychological. It also revealed that prevalence of HIV/ AIDS do affects academic performance of children in schools although study revealed that there other factors which also affects academic performance besides HIV/AIDS.