Representations of HIV and Aids in Discourse in Nyanza Province, Kenya
Dr. Oloo, Pamela Anyango

Abstract
The dominant discourse on HIV and AIDS in Nyanza province, Kenya, gravitates around behaviour change with particular emphasis on cultural behaviour change. Using Discourse Analysis and Systemic Functional Linguistics, this paper analyzes the dominant discourse on HIV and AIDS in Nyanza Province, Kenya, with a view to identifying the representations of HIV and AIDS in the region and the resulting perceptions and attitudes towards HIV and AIDS. The findings of this paper indicate that the choices made in the language used to communicate information on HIV and AIDS realize different representations of HIV and AIDS. In addition, the knowledge displayed by the inhabitants of the Lake Victoria region of Nyanza Province on HIV and AIDS is superficial rather than specific, pointing to a need to be specific about the aspects of behaviour that need changing.

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