The Impact of Global Fund on Livelihood of People Leaving with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) Association members: the case of Robe, Gobba town and Dello district, in Bale Zone, Oromia Region.

Abstract

A clear understanding of the Impacts of the Global Fund Grant helps policy makers and planners formulate new policies that mitigate the social and economic burden HIV AIDS. This study investigated the impact of Global Fund on livelihood of people living with HIV/AIDS association members in Robe and Gobba Towns, and Dello Wereda in Bale Zone, Oromia Region. A two-stage sampling: stratified sampling and systematic random sampling techniques was used to randomly select representative from each three PLWHA associations’ in Gobba, Robe and Dello Mena towns and 160 Association members were selected as sample respondents. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics like mean, standard deviation, percentage, and frequency distribution were used to describe the socio economic characteristics of the sample respondents. In addition, t-tests were used to compare average annual income earned before and after Global Fund grant of sample respondents. The descriptive results revealed that, the average annual income of respondents before Global Fund program support is 3,352.52 birr (184USD) while 5,196.21birr( 285USD) after the program intervention A binary logit model was used to identify the variables contribute to the livelihood level (income) of the Gobal Fund assisted PLWHA association members. A total of six explanatory continuous variables, were included in the empirical model. Out of these five of them were found to be statistically significant. The livelihood status (Income) of Global Fund Beneficiaries was taken as a dependent variable, and the explanatory variables were: Education and Skill level (EDUC) (x1), Expenditure on food, health and education (EXPFHE), (x2), Age of the beneficiary (AGE), (x3), Beneficiary Family Size (FAMSIZE), (x4), and Expenditure on Income Generating Activities (EXPIGA), (x5) of sample respondents found to be significantly affect the livelihood(income) of beneficiaries, provided that the goodness of fit in logistic regression analysis is measured by count R2 was 96.87% which is greater than 50%. The sensitivity, correctly predicted beneficiaries not their livelihood improved is 94.1 percent and that of

specificity, correctly predicted beneficiaries their livelihood improved after the program intervention is 98.2 percent. Thus, identifying, analyzing, and understanding those elements that are responsible for the Global Fund program beneficiaries livelihood level in places like Gobba, Robe and Dello Mena towns needs urgent research undertakings and the results are believed to be imperative to guide policy decisions, appropriate interventions and integrated efforts to combat HIV/AIDS burden at the towns and PLWHA members.