15th International AIDS Conference Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. D10066)

Olasode BJ
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile - Ife, Nigeria

ISSUES: Widows in Nigeria who are infected by the AIDS or the HIV virus are daily thrown out by the families of the dead husband who in most cases tranfered the infections to them. They are seperated from their chidren and are left and abandoned by the society and government.

DESCRIPTION: Twelve women who husbands died of HIV/AIDS were interviewd with a questionere about the social life and the attitude of the husband relatives to their conditions. The quality of life and access to care was accessed.

LESSONS LEARNED: All the women were ejected from their homes and permanently seperated from the children. No one was responsible for care or treatment and they relied on philantrophy to survive. Recomendations: Religious groups and socio cultural groups should be sensitised to take care of this vulnerable group. The Government and most NGO's have not been able to impart positively and awareness of donors to their plight is to be pursued vigorously.

040711
D10066

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