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

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. D10336)

Ajala AS
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

ISSUES: Annual increase in morbidity and mortality associated with HIV/AIDS in Yoruba society is attributed to certain social and cultural factors influencing care and support for PLWA in that society. At present morbidity associated with HIV/AIDS increases at 3.7% annually, while HIV/AIDS mortality also increases at 3.2% annually. This study investigated those factors affecting care and support for PLWA in two selected Yoruba communities.

DESCRIPTION: The study was conducted in two selected Yoruba communities in south-western Nigeria. The paper discusses the Yoruba conception of HIV/AIDS, the people's perception of PLWA;poverty;illiteracy;religious;and belief system; and inadequate haospital facilities as factors having negative impacts on better care and support for PLWA in the study area. The study relies on ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Ilesa and Ibadan cities of Yoruba region.

LESSONS LEARNED: Increase and high morbidity and mortality associated with HIV/AIDS are attributed to Yoruba conception of the disease, as well as the people's perception of PLWA. These attitudes create barriers against better care and support for PLWA. Also poverty, illiteracy, religious beliefs and inadequqte hospital facilities pose threats against care and support for PLWA in the study area.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Since one of the ways to improve the welfare of PLWA and restore hope of living in them is to provide better care and support services for them, this paper recommends as follows:(i) There should be serious public campaign against certain cultural attitudes and practices undermining care and support for PLWA: (ii) There is need to encourage more researches on local initiatives for care and support for PLWA; (iii) Nigerian government should encourage more public participation in national health insurance scheme.

040711
D10336

Copyright © 2004 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.