International Mentored Scientist Award

Extreme weather events (EWEs) are increasingly frequent and severe in Kenya, posing health challenges to vulnerable populations, particularly in the Lake Victoria region of western Kenya, which has the highest HIV prevalence and AIDS-related deaths in the country. These events, which include droughts and floods, have profound impacts on Persons Living with HIV (PLWH). The EWEs exacerbate food and water insecurity, displace populations, and worsen health outcomes. EWEs have been associated with higher HIV prevalence, increased sexual risk behaviors, and deteriorating mental health, including depression and anxiety. Additionally, poor mental health and adverse HIV outcomes are mutually reinforcing, creating a vicious cycle that worsens the health effects of EWEs among PLWH. However, existing research has not comprehensively explored how EWEs affect HIV health and mental health outcomes, particularly through a gendered lens, yet, gender dynamics shape individuals’ vulnerabilities, access to resources, and coping mechanisms, significantly influencing how men and women in the study area experience and respond to the impacts of EWEs. Additionally, existing research has not adequately examined the coping and adaptation strategies employed by affected communities. This proposed study aims to fill these gaps through a qualitative exploration of how EWEs impact HIV-related and mental health outcomes among PLWH in western Kenya. The study will employ community-based participatory methods, including interviews and gender-specific focus groups, to identify the pathways through which EWEs affect health outcomes, explore gendered differences in these experiences, and understand the coping and adaptation strategies at household, community, and county levels. Findings will inform the development of targeted interventions to enhance resilience and improve health outcomes for PLWH facing climate-induced challenges.