THE ROLE OF INFORMATION IN TACKLING HIV/AIDS AMONG WOMEN IN NIGERIA

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1 THE ROLE OF INFORMATION IN TACKLING HIV/AIDS AMONG WOMEN IN NIGERIA 1 Amune, J. B; 2 Aidenojie, E. O. and 3 Obinyan, O. O. 1 Technical Services Department, Main Library, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. 2 Technical Services Department, Main Library, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. 3 Department of Library and Information Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka. ABSTRACT In almost every region, women represent a growing share of people living with HIV/AIDS. Everyday, nearly 7,500 people become infected with HIV and 5,500 die from AIDS, mostly due to lack of information to prevent and control the virus. The threat posed by HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa as a whole has become so devastating and worrisome that in 2005, Akpede reported that 8% of the adult population in Africa is HIV positive, while 70% of the global HIV/AIDS burden is found in Africa. In Nigeria, HIV/AIDS sero-prevalence has increased by more than 300 percent in 2001 with much higher rates reported among high- risk (sex workers) groups (ACTIONAID, 2008). This scenario above spurs the authors in writing this paper. The primary objective of this paper therefore, is to investigate the role of information in tackling widespread HIV/AIDS among women in Nigeria and it is assumed that with the right information and education of the women, this will help to tackle the widespread incidence of the scourge. The study adopted a historical method of research. The major finding is that HIV/AIDS is a global issue with high prevalence in sub-sahara Africa especially among women. It is the most significant pandemic that reduces life expectancy in Nigeria. The study therefore recommended among others that the level of awareness and dissemination of information be beef up through various media especially at the grass root level. Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Women, Information, Nigeria. INTRODUCTION The Human Immuno-deficiency virus/acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) has emerged as one of the most serious disease facing the developing world, with its consequences reaching far beyond the health sector. The threat posed by HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa as a whole has become so devastating and worrisome that in 2005, Akpede reported that 8% of the adult population in Africa is HIV positive, while 70% of the global HIV/AIDS burden is found in Africa. A report released in 2002 by joint United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), warns that AIDS epidemic is still in an early phrase. HIV prevalence is climbing higher than previously believed possible in the worst affected countries and is continuing to spread rapidly into new populations in Africa. COPY RIGHT 2012 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 1016

2 According to the Persuaders (2011) out of the 33 million people in the world that have HIV, 22 million(67%) live in Africa.Yet, the continent is home to just 10% of the world population. The disease is the leading cause of death in sub-saharan Africa with approximately 3,600 people dying every day from AIDS. It costs around 40 cents a day for the 2 antiretroviral pills needed to help keep someone living with HIV alive and healthy. Yet more than 70% of people in sub-saharan Africa live on less than $2 a day. Every day, nearly 7,500 people become infected with HIV and 5,500 die from AIDS, mostly due to lack of information to prevent and control of the virus. In Nigeria, HIV/AIDS sero-prevalence has increased by more than 300 percent in 2001 with much higher rates reported among high- risk (sex workers) groups (ACTIONAID, 2008). According to Desmond et al (2002), there are three phases in the cycle of illness and death from HIV/AIDS, these are: Phase 1: the illness phase Phase 2: the period following immediately after death, and Phase 3: the longer-term aftermath The impacts of HIV/AIDS in these phases differ in some instances. Illness phase is always a dramatic rise in expenditures for medical treatment and transport. The challenges of HIV/AIDS to the nation cannot be over emphasized in view of the fact that it has a very devastating effect on the organization, epidemiological and demographic profiles of the country. It has serious effect on health care delivery system, manpower development and depletes the resources of sufferers, their families and the society at large. Historical/ documentary method of research was adopted in this paper. Several relevant literatures on HIV/AIDS and the role of information were examined and used as basis for the discussion of the topic. GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO HIV/AIDS In 1999, government instituted vigorous response to the AIDS pandemic through National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA). The key element of the response was a decentralized approach, with comparable programmes at local, state and national levels. Several international development partners also joined Nigeria in the war against HIV/AIDS. These act in concert with National Agency for the control of AIDS (NACA), the principal agency for AIDS control in Nigeria. However, with the several efforts, the prevalence rate is increasing in the country COPY RIGHT 2012 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 1017

3 among women and knowledge in gap about HIV/AIDS and the availability of care have been identified as one of the major problem comforting the country. HIV/AIDS PREVALENCE IN NIGERIA AMONG WOMEN Nigeria serves as the first populous country to have an average national prevalence rate of 4.6% (in 1999 the prevalence rate was 5.4, 5.0 in 2003 and youth and women accounted for 80% of the people living with the virus. Youth show the highest sero-prevalence rates (FMOH sentinel survey report, 2003). The rapid spread of the disease in Nigeria has been propelled by number of factors. Prominent among them are: 1. Poor state of information on sexual health 2. Lack of adequate health care facilities for both diagnosis and treatment of the disease 3. Stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS lead to non-disclosure and consequent propagation of the disease HIV/AIDS has been found to be more prevalent in women. In 2003, it was estimated that 17 millions of the 37.5 million people who have HIV/AIDS were women while 58% of adult people living with HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa currently are women. Over 50% of the global HIV/AIDS infection also consists of women (Actionaid, 2008). In 2003, a sero survey carried out by Federal Ministry of Health estimated that of the 3,300,000 people with HIV in Nigeria, 1,900,000 or 57% were women and this situation has brought about early death among womenfolk. Furthermore, in 2008 an estimated 25% of adults and adolescents living with HIV infection were female (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). The study carried out by Oduwole et al (2005) showed that out of 118 clients in Ogun State, 72.1% were female and married, 87% of the clients fell into the age of 20-39yrs. The finding revealed that more female than male have HIV/AIDS which shows that HIV/AIDS scourge is gender specific in Nigeria. Consistent findings showed that many HIV infected individuals are sexually active and practice unprotected sex (Kalichman, 1999; Olley and Balojoko, 2008) other indices indicated that sexual activity is particularly high among unmarried youth, that it has become more COPY RIGHT 2012 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 1018

4 common and that premarital sexual behavior is more common among women in urban centre (Renne, 1993, Makinwa-Adebusoye and Odumosu, 1997). Also it is noteworthy that there is no specific programme for women who have been trafficked in relation to their HIV/AIDS serostatus but undertakes their rehabilitation and advocacy against trafficking, no policy to support rape victims with prophylactic care in their programmes, and their various other vulnerabilities (Actionaid, 2008). The main routes of transmission have been identified as: Heterosexual sex: Blood transfusions Mother to child Homosexual sex Drug use: PREVENTION CHALLENGES AMONG WOMEN According to Burns et al., (1997) women are more at risk for disease and poor health because a woman s body is different from a man s. They further asserted that woman face a greater risk of disease and poor health. Like other affected populations, women face a number of risk factors that may contribute to their risk for HIV infection. Most women are infected with HIV through heterosexual sex. Some women become infected because they may be unaware of a male partner s risk factors for HIV infection or have a lack of HIV knowledge and lower perception of risk. Relationship dynamics also play a role. For example, some women may not insist on condom use because they fear that their partner will physically abuse or leave them. Both unprotected vaginal and anal sex pose a risk for HIV transmission. Unprotected anal sex presents an even greater risk for HIV transmission for women than unprotected vaginal sex. COPY RIGHT 2012 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 1019

5 Women who have experienced sexual abuse may be more likely than women with no abuse history to use drugs as a coping mechanism, have difficulty refusing unwanted sex, exchange sex for drugs, or engage in high-risk sexual activities. Injection drug and other substance use increase HIV risk through sharing injection equipment contaminated with HIV or engaging in high-risk behaviors, such as unprotected sex, when under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The presence of some sexually transmitted diseases greatly increases the likelihood of acquiring or transmitting HIV. Rates of gonorrhea and syphilis are higher among women of color than among white women. Socioeconomic issues associated with poverty, including limited access to high-quality health care; the exchange of sex for drugs, money, or to meet other needs; and higher levels of substance use can directly or indirectly increase HIV risk factors. violence against women fueling risks of HIV/AIDS infection: this has come to the front burner as one of the most important factors of making the HIV/AIDS scourge gender specific for women in Nigeria as it relates to male dominance in Nigerian society, domestic violence, rape including marital rape, trafficking and harmful marriage practices. The afore-mentioned factors predispose women to higher infection rates of HIV/AIDS. NIGERIA S RESPONSE TO HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC Nigeria government in the past focused on advocacy; establishment of national, state and LGA control programmes; IEC targeting specific groups and the general population; blood safety; sentinel sero-prevalence studies; institutional strengthening and capacity building of health workers; development of national policy on HIV/AIDS/STIS control; establishment of NGO and PLWA networks. The situation analysis carried out by NACA in 2000 showed that HIV/AIDS issue had not been sufficiently addressed. Stigma remains one of the most significant challenges in developing countries for all HIV/AIDS programs, which involve the prevention and care continuum. This in turn increases veulnerability to HIV and worsens the impact of infecting. According to UNAIDS report (2006) fear of being identified with HIV keeps people from learning about their status, COPY RIGHT 2012 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 1020

6 changing behavior to prevent infecting others, caring for people living with HIV/AIDS and accessing HIV/AIDS services. According to Ajibade (2006) at the end of 2005 about 6.1 millions Nigerians are estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS. More than 3.2 million of these people are between the ages of 15-49, [1] indicating a high prevalence of the HIV infection among young adolescents and adults. An explanation for the sporadic spread of HIV epidemic in Nigeria can be traced to insufficient information about HIV/AIDS preventive methods. According to Action Aid Nigeria (2008) some of the key factors contributing to the current and future HIV/AIDS crisis in Nigeria are: (a) Poor knowledge about the disease and inaccurate personal risk perception resulting in high-risk behavior and stigmatization of PLWHA (b) Inadequate access to quality prevention and care products/services (c) Widespread practice of stigma and discrimination which leads to non-disclosure and avoidance of care and support services by PLWHA ; and (d) The failure of Nigeria s leadership with few exceptions to recognize the seriousness of HIV/AIDS and make it the priority issue it needs to be in terms of attention and investment. THE CONSEQUENCES OF INACTION The following according to Aregbeyen (2002) will likely be the effects of inaction against HIV/AIDS pandemic: a) There will be rapid increases in HIV/AIDS prevalence in the country b) The nation s health system will be overstretched; c) There will be reversal of development gains especially with regard to reduction of life expectancy, increased adult death rates and increased infant mortality rates; d) Loss of skilled personnel leading to crises in the public and private sectors as well as the armed forces; and e) Increasing deepening poverty. COPY RIGHT 2012 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 1021

7 TACKLING THE PROBLEM OF HIV/AIDS AMONG WOMEN Prevention and spread of HIV/AIDS is 100 percent possible through appropriate and timely information. National and individual awareness is the most important instrument through which the epidemic can be prevented. Healthy socio-sexual conduct begins with re-orienting the entire society through appropriate information and through addressing other socio-economic factors that fosters risky-sexual attitudes amongst women. Aiyepeku (1997) emphasing the importance of information equated it with capital, labour and materials. Information is a major resource of any organization and human development. Olabisi (2001) opines that reliable information is the cornerstone for building the awareness, expertise and practical strategies necessary to improve the world at its hearts, the health etc. information assists in reducing degree of uncertainty in the operating environment of any nation. Information dissemination at various levels and by various organization and religious bodies as well as information media and services will be very useful in tackling HIV/AIDS spread and stigmatization. Libraries serve as one of the major avenues through which information in various formats can be disseminated. Public librarians, information officers in public services have a role to play in information repackaging and transfer to the grassroots. Information repackaging often requires that the information content is scaled down so that it would be easily understood by the people in the grassroots and the language of the content been simply and understandable to the illiterates women who constitute the majority of the people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Public education/enlightenment: the government owes it as a responsibility to set the pace in the education of the public about health issues as it relates to HIV/AIDS. This should involve religious bodies, NGOs. Government efforts with those of the NGOs and religious bodies should be directed towards eradicating the spread of the virus and promoting healthy living for those with the virus. Education of women: women have played a major role in the different aspects of economy, but they lack access to information which is the key to development and progress. The education of women promotes improved health to the woman and other family members, it enables a better use of family planning methods, better child care and help to maintain hygienic behavior. Lack of education makes access to information difficult for most women. With COPY RIGHT 2012 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 1022

8 increasing efforts on awareness and education, increasing access to ARV for those living with disease should not be neglected. Both must go hand-in-hand in order to effectively curb the spread of disease and to demystify the various myths about HIV/AIDS. NGOs should be more involved in community education programs on HIV/AIDS, which should include messages in vernacular. Also special awareness program targeting women should be initiated. Online information campaign: information on the awareness, importance of testing and treatment as well as control of HIV/AIDS can easily be disseminated online using technological innovation (social networks) for elite members of the society. This will enable a wider coverage of publicity worldwide and thereby reducing the transmission and spread of the disease. Media campaign against HIV/AIDS: the use of the mass media is imperative for public education. Therefore, government should encourage the dissemination of information on HIV/AIDs through pamphlets, posters, newspapers, magazines, books and so forth. It includes raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and advocating for ABC of prevention (Abstinence, be faithful to partner, and Use of Condom). Information about antenatal antiretroviral regimens should be made available to pregnant women to help reduce mother to infant transmission, and the adoption of more intensive targeted behavioral interventions with the aim of building motivation and risk-reduction skills amongst women. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS The role of information in tackling HIV/AIDS in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. Information acts as a vital key in overcoming ignorance. Information is seen as being relevant in extracting new ideas for human use as it modifies behavior and effect changes; and in the long run, transformation become inevitable. followings: To this end, the study therefore recommends the 1. Government should emphasize improvement in information dissemination processes particularly among women and the nation at large. 2. That the level of awareness and dissemination of information be beef up through various media especially at the grassroots level. COPY RIGHT 2012 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 1023

9 3. Various governmental organizations and NGO should be involve in a strategy plan for increasing information about HIV/AIDS, and such information should emphasize health hazards of unprotected sex, modes of transmission of HIV/AIDS. 4. The use of the mass media is imperative for public education. Therefore, government should encourage the dissemination of information about HIV/AIDS through pamphlets, posters, newspapers, magazines, books, instructions on condom packaging, films, plays, and so forth. 5. With increasing efforts on awareness and education, increasing access to ARV for those living with disease should not be neglected. Both must go hand-in-hand in order to effectively tackle spread of disease and to demystify the various myths about HIV/AIDS. COPY RIGHT 2012 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 1024

10 References Actionaid (2007). Intersection of two current pandemics: HIV/AIDS and violence against women. Abuja: ActionAid Nigeria. Akpede, G. O. (2005). What is AIDS?: Basic concepts. Esan Magazine: Truth and service, July P. 25. Aiyepeku, W. O. (1997). Towards a national information policy. Paper presented at a seminar on Libraries and Information services for national development, Lagos September. Aregbeyen, J. B. O. (2002). The impact of HIV/AIDS epidemic on the health sector. In, D. O. Ajakaiye & O. F. Odumosu, (2002). Socio-economic burden of HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nigeria. Ibadan: Nigerian institute of social and economic research (NISER). Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (2011). HIV among women. Retrieved 23 August, 2011 from Desmond, C, Michael, K. and Grow, J. (2002). The hidden battle: HIV/AIDS in the family and community. Durban. South Africa: Health Economics & HIV/AIDS research Division (HEARD), University of Natal. Kalichman, S. C. (1999). Psychological and social correlates of high-risk sexual behavior among men and women with HIV/AIDS. AIDsCare, 11, Makinwa-Adebusoye, P. K. and Odumosu, O. (1997). Sexual behavior and reproductive health attitudes and practices among adolescents in Nigeria: findings from recent focus group discussion. Research for development, 13 & 14.: Olley, B. O. and Bolajoko, A. J. (2008). Psychological determinants of HIV-related quality of life among HIV-positive military in Nigeria. International Journal of STD and AIDS, 19(2): Olabisi, A (2001). Information sources in science and technology: a new approach. Ibadan. Renne, E. P. (1993). Gender ideology and fertility strategies in an Ekiti Yoruba village. Studies in family planning, 24 (6): The Persuaders, (2011). AIDS free generation is due in 2015( RED). Retrieved 23 August, 2011 from UNAIDS, (2006). Report on the global AIDS epidemic: Geneva. UNAIDS (2002). New UNAIDS report warns AIDS epidemic still in early phrase and not leaving off in worst affected countries. Press Release July COPY RIGHT 2012 Institute of Interdisciplinary Business Research 1025