Q&A: Carolyne Njue

19 April 2009

So-called ‘disco funerals’ are putting young people in Kenya at risk from HIV infection, says research published in the journal AIDS, which was part-funded by the Trust. Lead author Carolyne Njue, completing her PhD at Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, explains the basis of these events and what she thinks could be done to reduce the risks associated with them.

What are disco funerals?
Disco funerals are hosted by family members of the deceased to raise funds for funeral expenses. A DJ is hired to play music (often with dancers) and helps to raise funds for the burial through bidding contests. Disco funerals last from several days to up to a fortnight, depending on mortuary and/or transport expenses.

What role do disco funerals play?
In Kenya, the number of funerals has increased, partly because of high AIDS mortality. HIV/AIDS has had a significant impact on the funeral rituals of the Luo, for whom attendance at funerals is a cultural obligation. In the past, visitors for funerals were housed around the compound of the deceased person, and neighbours helped by cooking food for mourners who may have travelled long distances. With frequent AIDS-related deaths, an increasing burden is falling on the bereaved families. Disco funerals, with their fundraising aspects, are seen as very important economically. The phenomenon is spreading across Kenya and is seen in other East African countries.

For the Luo, there is a strong cultural link between sex and funerals. However, because of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), some of the sexual rituals traditionally associated with funerals are, today, just symbolic. While disco funerals are good for the community - a way to help traditional funeral rituals be carried out - it seems that young people have hijacked the events as a cheap form of entertainment, as well as an opportunity to meet sexual partners.

How did you start studying disco funerals?
We were carrying out a study to explore in depth the sexual behaviour of young people in Kisumu, Kenya. The phenomenon of disco funerals kept coming up as an event where young people met their partners or where they first had sex. In the published study, we held indepth interviews with males and females aged 15-20, and made observations during six disco funerals. Of the 150 participants, 44 spontaneously mentioned disco funerals when asked about relationships.

What did you find in your study?
Disco funerals were a common occurrence in the study areas. We identified disco funerals as events that place young people at a heightened risk of unsafe sex. There was evidence of casual sex (sometimes with multiple partners), paid-for sex and sexual coercion. Use of drugs and alcohol at the funerals was shown to fuel risky behaviour. We also found that, mostly, people weren't using condoms at these events. All these factors increase the risk of STIs (including HIV). The circumstances of funeral discos also facilitate risky sexual activity. These events last from several days up to a fortnight and, as people often travel far to attend, can involve long stays in shared accommodation. Often there are not enough sleeping places and little parental supervision was evident.

What do you think should be done?
I think we need interventions to challenge the risks encountered by young people during these events, including more education around safe sex - the DJs could be effective peer educators. Another approach would be to make condoms freely available at disco funerals, as they are at nearly every other place where people congregate in Kenya. We could also target parents, to communicate with their children about how to protect themselves from the risky situations presented by these events.

What do you do outside of work?
I am an avid reader of books and magazines, I enjoy watching documentaries, gardening, exercising, and relaxing with friends and family.

Reference

Njue C et al. Disco funerals: a risk situation for HIV infection among youth in Kisumu, Kenya. AIDS 2009;23(4):505-9.