July 2003
By various writers
Edited by Patricia Bunyasi
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Nancy's Experience at the Kibera Community Health Information Center (CHIC)
By Zipporah Wanaswa, WiRED Regional Manager
Kibera slum houses almost two thirds of the poor population in Nairobi City. It is the largest slum in Africa with a population of more than 800,000. Most of the people cannot afford fees to access computer agencies or cyber cafés. They spend most of their time working hard to fend for their families. In an attempt to raise an income, most of the people, especially women and young girls, end up in prostitution. As a result, most of the population in this region is vulnerable to HIV and many other infections. This is where Anne, one of the client support staff at the Kibera CHIC, had an encounter with Nancy* a 41-year old woman and Miriam* her daughter aged 15.
Nancy and Miriam had both visited the center to access health information. Nancy requested to look at the CD-ROM on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI). Anne assisted her in using the CD-ROM but Nancy was rather hesitant to look at the information. Upon inquiring, Anne found out that the woman did not want to read through the CD-ROM with her daughter watching. She did not give reasons why.
The CHIC Volunteer set up a separate computer for Miriam who wanted to learn more about Malaria, while her mother went on to look at the CD-ROM on STIs. At the close of the session, Anne developed a rapport with Nancy, who revealed that she suspected she had STI, but did not want to disclose this to her daughter. It was then that Anne understood the woman's predicament, so she referred her to the clinic run by a community-based organization affiliated with WiRED, the Kibera Community Self Help Project (KICOSHEP). Nancy was subsequently diagnosed with an STI and is now undergoing treatment and counseling.
*(not their real names)
Sex Worker Renewed
By Miriam Kamau
Nakuru Community Health Information Center Volunteer
A middle-aged woman walked into the Nakuru CHIC site and inquired about our services. At some point she asked me, "What is the Center all about? Is it some sort of a clinic?" I did my best to explain. Once she understood, she settled down to access information. She was most interested in the CD-ROM about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). I guided her through the CD. In the course of our conversations I established she had symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection.
She confided in me and told me that she engaged in commercial sex. I informed her about safer sex practices and referred her for HIV/STI testing. A few weeks later the lady came back to the CHIC and has now become a regular client learning about many other health issues - especially reproductive health. In addition, she has now started selling vegetables as an alternative to commercial sex work.
Saved by a CD-Rom
By James Dikir
Kajiado Community Health Information Center Volunteer
One bright April morning a young man walked into the WiRED Center in Kajiado and went straight to a computer that was not being used. While seated, he went through the CD list and settled on the STI CD. Being familiar with the computer and CD operation, he did not require any assistance in accessing the information. He went through the CD for 60 minutes.
After he had finished, he informed one of the client support staff that he had learned of some infectious signs and symptoms that were similar to the ones he was experiencing. He promised to consult a doctor.
After one week, the client support staff made a followed-up on his progress. She learned from him that he had seen a doctor in a private clinic who took specimens for examination. Thereafter, he was treated with oral and injectable antibiotics. He was advised to take his wife for medical examination so that the problem could be solved once and for all.
We are delighted to know that the information in the Center is helping our clients learn about infections and their bodies - enabling them make wise decisions.
Information on Diabetes
By Cleophas Muliro
A Community Health Information Center client
I have been Diabetic for about a year now. We have a family history of diabetes and I am the fourth in a family of twelve to be diagnosed with the disease.
I came across a poster at the entrance of the Sheetal Plaza building in Mombasa and read about the information services at the CHIC. The reception of the staff and the quality of the information were impressive. I am happy that I have accessed very important detailed information from the Center that I had never gotten from my doctors; (e.g., healthy living, blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, heart and general complications a diabetic person is likely to undergo with poor blood sugar controls).
I will be a regular visitor and even download more information to take to my family members who also suffer from Diabetes.
Now We Know What Dad Has
By Anthony Mwaro
A Mombasa KANCO Community Health Information Center Client
Dear Madam,
Two months ago my father was suffering severe leg pains and so he went to see a doctor who quickly told him that he was suffering from "intermittent claudication." We had no idea what that meant. Thanks to the world of information technology, I quickly put my fingers to task at the WiRED workstation set up within the Kenya AIDS NGOs Consortium Resource Center in Mombasa. Here, I read and discovered all that I needed to know about this illness- how it comes about, how it can be avoided and the treatment required for it.
Thanks to this we are now able to know what steps to take, the decisions to make and we now understand what exactly will happen during the operation that my father will soon undergo. Thank you WiRED, because of you our family is better informed.
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