Assessing Interventions Available to Internally Displaced Persons in Abia State; Nigeria

Internally displaced persons are faced with several problems; such as sexual violence; and deserve appropriate intervention; especially in view of the increasing prevalence of HIV/AIDS and other infections in Nigeria. This study attempts to assess interventions offered by governmental authorities and organizations to internally displaced persons and to identify gaps in services as well as to identify what needs to be strengthened. Method: The author reviewed relevant published and unpublished documents and collected data by interviews with semi-structured questions. Twenty-five organizations and government and police departments and 55 internally displaced persons were interviewed.Results: None of the organizations; including governmental institutions; provided social services or assistance in prevention of HIV/AIDS to internally displaced persons. The main services provided by 17 (68) organizations to 43 (78.2) of internally displaced persons were provision of food; clothing and money; but these were provided on an ad hoc basis. Only 3 organizations (12) included spiritual counseling and resolution of communal conflicts in their services. Conclusion: The fact that most organizations; including the government; do not have services for internally displaced persons indicates lack of support for internally displaced persons. The government should be urged to include these people in most prevention services; including HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. This should help reduce the national prevalence of HIV/AIDS

Disabled Persons and HIV/ AIDS Prevention: a Case Study of Deaf and Leprosy Persons in Nigeria

Objective (s): (i) To investigate factors and conditions that influence HIV/AIDS prevention among leprosy and deaf persons in leprosy settlements in Nigerian; (ii) to examine the extent to which the Government includes leprosy and deaf persons in HIV prevention programmes; (iii) To identify immediate needs of leprosy and deaf patients in settlements (iv) to determine possible areas for improving services so as to explore potential solutions Methods: Total sample of 227 inmates and 34 Health Care Workers were studied in three purposively selected settlements. Two intervention concepts; participatory reservation approach (PRA) and planned action (PLA) were utilized in the study. The concepts enabled researchers to examine factors that influenced provision of HIV/AIDS prevention programmes to inmates in settlements. Data collection instruments were questionnaire and focus group discussions for inmates and interview guides for Health Workers. Data were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively with the help of Stat Pac Gold package. Results: Findings showed that there were no reproductive health and and HIV prevention programmes in the settlements. There was lack of Governments' commitment to fund health programmes and to train Health Workers; as well as rejection; isolation; discrimination and discouragement of HIV/AIDS prevention programmes in settlements. There was poor knowledge of mode of transmission of HIV/AIDS among inmates. About 59 (53.6) of inmates in Abia; and 60 (51.3) in Oyo were not interested in voluntary counselling and sex education. Findings showed that inmates in the leprosy settlements were at risk of unprotected sex. About 99 (43.6) in Oyo and 88 (38.8) in Abia State; especially those who were single cohabited with opposite sexes to have babies in settlements (p = 003). Conclusion: Number of inmates that had babies in settlements justifies providing sex education; reproductive health and HIV/AIDS prevention programmes. This will assist in reducing HIV/AIDS prevalence among disabled persons in Nige

Sexual Behaviour and Inheritance Rights among HIV- Positive Women in Abia State; Nigeria

In developing countries; culture favours males for economic ventures more than females. There is evidence that allowing HIV positive women inheritance rights will mitigate negative economic consequences of HIV/AIDS and other related risks. This study aimed to examine the extent to which HIV positive women have access to family resources in Abia State; Nigeria. Data collection instruments were questionnaire; focus group discussion and interview guides using 98 HIV positive women in network of people living with HIV/AIDS. Five key informants were also interviewed to authenticate women's responses. Results showed that 85 (86.7) of the women were denied rights to family resources. Thirty-eight (64.4) of them had negative relationship with their family members for demanding their husbands' property. Because of limited ?nancial assistance; the women took two types of risks in order to survive in the communities. Twenty-?ve women (25.5) earned their livelihood by acting as hired labourers to others in the farm. More that half (55.1) of the HIV positive women were practicing unprotected sex. Although as high as 79.6of women were aware of risks of unprotected sex; 54 (55) of them practised it. The commonest reason for taking the risk was sex partners' dislike for condom use. The high proportion of HIV positive women who were denied access to family resources; could suggest lack of care and support. If this denial continues; Government`s efforts to reduce HIV prevalence would yield no significant result. There is therefore need for organized community education programme that emphasizes the bene?ts of empowering women living positively with HIV/AIDS economically