Wednesday, 13 February 2013

HIV/AIDS INFORMATION


AVAILABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY AS INFLUENCING FACTORS OF HIV/AIDS INFORMATION UTILIZATION AMONG WOMEN IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA.
CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the study

     All the human activities that result in problem solving and the production of goods and services depend on the availability, accessibility and utilization of information to effect communication.  Communication in this context, is the sharing of information by human beings. The process can be carried out in different ways and through different media of communication.

     In this era of HIV/AIDS, community members are involved in complex behaviour to solving the problems posed by the presence of HIV/AIDS, as noted by Donohue and Kochen ( 1973 ), concerning the complex social setting.

     In the current setting of HIV/AIDS pandemic, the everyday information needs of the average community member in the remotest village of our local government areas, has become a very critical issue.  However, sad enough, as noted by Dervin ( 1976 ) as quoted by Okwilagwe (1993).

       The first cases of HIV/AIDS in the world were identified in the United States of America among a group of homosexuals (Rosenberg , 1992) and WHO (1999) noted that about 50 million people worldwide were living with the virus;  90 percent were in developing countries with a sizeable proportion of them being children and women.

 In Nigeria, HIV/AIDS was identified in 1986 (Okafor, 1996), and the prevalence rate rose steadily to a peak of 5.8 percent by 2002.  The prevalence rate reduced in 2003, putting the country at 5.0 percent as reported in the Nigerian National Sentinel prevalence study of 2003 by ( Uneze, 2005 ).

       The HIV prevalence study by state, 1991-2003, placed Cross River State at the top of the table with 12.5 percent rate. That meant that as at 2003, at least 240,000 people were living with the virus in Cross River State. The high prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Cross River State is alarming and questionable. Unfortunately twenty-four years into the pandemic, the vast majority of young people remain uninformed about safe sex and issues relating to sexually transmitted infections {STIs).

       Information must not only be available, adequate and accessible but must be presented in a way that is culturally acceptable to facilitate the acceptability and eventual utilization of the information.           

      There are many socio-cultural factors affecting the lives of African young women which make them more vulnerable to HIV infection ( Uwakwe, 1997 ).  He suggested that women are the worst victims of unprotected sexual intercourse because they lack the bargaining power to negotiate for safer sex practices with their male counterparts.  This lack of bargaining powers is culturally embedded in our African society.  This is also coupled with the fact that, the women are generally marginalized in terms of accessibility to educational information and other social amenities ( Uwakwe, 1997 ).  During the periods of postnatal, sexual abstinence for productive age women, husbands often establish sexual relationships with other women which may expose them to HIV transmission ( Hernandez and Vandale, 1993 ).  Economic dependence, urbanization and civil strife have negative consequences, in addition, traditional sexual inequality increases women’s risk of being infected with HIV   (Seidel, 1993 ).      

HIV/AIDS situation in Nigeria

      Nigeria with a population of about 140 million is one of the countries where the existence of HIV/AIDS has been reported, and where fears of further spread of the deadly disease have been expressed ( Asagba, 1992; Ozoemene, 1992; Abiodu, 1993; Okafor, 1997). The prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria has not been steady, nonetheless the high rates of infection is still of great concern. Nigeria has the highest number of HIV/AIDS infected adults in West Africa ( UN, 2004 ). Nigeria is also the third  country in the world after South Africa and India with the highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS ( Peter-Omale and Taiwo, 2006 ). It has been projected by USAIDS ( 2002 ) that, by 2010 there will be 10-15 million HIV cases in Nigeria.  Research data in Nigeria shows that HIV/AIDS is evident in rural as well as urban areas of the country therefore, education and prevention efforts should not be concentrated only in the urban centers   (Okafor, 1997 ).  Poverty, ignorance and illiteracy make it difficult for some women to have access to information.  This perhaps has been one of the major reasons for the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.

  HIV/AIDS in Cross River State

       The study area is Cross River State of Nigeria.  Cross River State is one of the 36 states of Nigeria located in the South- South Geo Political Zone. Its population is estimated at 2,888,966 (National Population Commission, 2006), out of which 1,396,501 are women. The indigenes are mostly farmers, fishermen and traders. 

           HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in Cross River State has been increasing and as at the last sentinel survey (2003), 12.5% was the highest in the country. The rate of spread is alarming and this calls for investigation.  At varying times, Cross River State prevalence rate has been put at: 1991/92 (0.0%); 1993/94 (4.1%); and 1995/96 (1.4%).  It dropped and rose again in 1999 to ( 5.8% ); 2001 ( 8.0% ) and 2004 ( 12. 5% )  ( Technical Report, 2004  ).  In 2006, the prevalence rate dropped from 12.5% to 6% in Cross River State, ( Akpan, 2006 ).  According to a report in the Daily Independent, 2008, the wife of Cross River State Governor, Mrs Llyel Imoke lamented the increasing cases of HIV/AIDS infections which she said has resulted in rise in cases of divorce in the state.

HIV/AIDS Information Behaviour.

        Information behaviour is regarded as an interplay between information needs, access to  information, utilization and the effects of information use. These four aspects are treated as problem areas to which research questions are related. The behaviour is to a large extent affected and formed by a social context in which various demands, expectations and ideas affect an individual’s ways and possibilities to act (Davenport, 1997).

        The rural women, due to their ignorance and low level of education may have difficulty in searching for adequate information at the appropriate time to solve their problems, socially and economically. For instance, there are some rural women who are not aware of HIV/AIDS; as such they do not believe that AIDS is real (Personal discussion).  The  women, if properly informed could change their behaviour towards HIV/AIDS.

19 comments:

  1. HOW I WAS CURE FROM HERPES WITHIN  7DAYS WITH THE HELP OF DR SAMBOLA
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    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joy and happiness is all i see around ever since i came in contact with this great man. i complained bitterly to him about me having herpes only for him to tell me it’s a minor stuff. He told me he has cured thousands of people but i did not believe until he sent me the herbal medicine and i took it as instructed by this great man, only to go to the hospital after two weeks for another test and i was confirmed negative. For the first time in four years i was getting that result. i want to use this medium to thank this great man. His name is Dr aziegbe, i came in contact with his email through a friend in UK and ever since then my live has been full with laughter and great peace of mind. i urge you all with herpes or HSV to contact him if you willing to give him a chance. you can contact him through this email DRAZIEGBE1SPELLHOME@GMAIL .COM or you can also WhatsApp him +2349035465208
      He also cured my friend with HIV and ever since then i strongly believe he can do all things. Don't be deceived thinking he does not work, i believe if you can get in contact with this man all your troubles will be over. i have done my part in spreading the good news. Contact him through his email and you will be the next to testify of his great work.

      Delete
    2. My name is TRINA MATEO'S i'm from south africa, life has not been easy for me ever since i was diagnosed of type 2 herpes virus and my life was in shallow and so depressed, i have used a lot of drugs but it never helped. I got to learn about DR.MOMOH through a friend, i contacted him via email: (DRMOMOHHEALERTEMPLE@GMAIL. COM) i was skeptical but he gave me his words and he sent me the natural herbal medicine and i made use of it. To my greatest surprise after 2 weeks i was tested and there was no trace of it. Today i have come to say DR.MOMOH i'am very greathful for your work. You can contact him via email DRMOMOHHEALERTEMPLE@GMAIL. COM on whatsApp +2348166979481 and he will assist you with any ailment. Thank you!.

      Delete
  2. Never give up in life they all say no cure to HSV 2 which is a big lie I have pass through many process also i never believe there is really cure to HERPES until I meet Dr.Ehiaguna the doctor that have been helping many people for many years, I come across this doctor online when I was searching for cure online I found out about this man, and to my greatest surprise this man have the herbal medicine which I have been looking for years I explain my problem to him through the email I found on someone who testify about him also, Dr.Ehiaguna write me a reply and explain how the process work so after ordering for the medicine I got it within 4 days and I took it according to the way Dr.Ehiaguna instructed, I was so happy after two week I took the medicine there was very big change in my health when I was done with the process I go for test, I found out I am negative that was the day I have the tears of joy you can also get in contact with my doctor through his email now drehiaguna@gmail.com or you can also WhatsApp him +2348073908953. And He also have herbs medicine to cured the following diseases; eczema,urethra wart,chronic problems.Herpes, Cancer, Als,Hepatitis, Diabetes, HPV,Infections,ulcer  ETC

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello viewers I am glad to have met with the powerful herbal healer called
      Dr voodoo who use his herbs to cure my HIV disease I suffered from 15years,
      but now I am a happy woman and i am free from this sickness that has been
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      was diagnose negative, I will recommend Dr voodoo to everyone reading this
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      Delete
  3. I Never believed i was ever going to be HSV FREE again, DR.Ehiaguna has given me reasons to be happy, i was HSV positive for 2 years and all the means and medicine i tried for treatment was not helpful to me, but when i came on the Internet i saw great testimony about DR.Ehiaguna on how he was able to cure someone from HSV 2, this person said great things about this man, and advice we contact him for any Disease problem that DR.Ehiaguna can be of help, well i decided to give him a try, he requested for my information which i sent to him, and he told me he was going to prepare for me a healing portion, which he wanted me to take for days, and after which i should go back to the hospital for check up, well after taking all the treatment sent to me by DR.Ehiahuna , i went back to the Hospital for check up, and now i have been confirmed HSV NEGATIVE, friends you can reach DR.Ehiaguna on any treatment of any Disease cos i saw many testimony of different disease like, HEPATITIS,HIV AIDS,EPILEPSY, CANCER,CFS he is the one only one i can show you all up to, reach him on drehiaguna@gmail.com or whatsApp him now +2348073908953. quick contact him for help and you can just quickly drop your number on your first mail as i did for easily conversation

    ReplyDelete
  4. Joy and happiness is all i see around ever since i came in contact with this great man. i complained bitterly to him about me having herpes only for him to tell me it’s a minor stuff. He told me he has cured thousands of people but i did not believe until he sent me the herbal medicine and i took it as instructed by this great man, only to go to the hospital after two weeks for another test and i was confirmed negative. For the first time in four years i was getting that result. i want to use this medium to thank this great man. His name is Dr aziegbe, i came in contact with his email through a friend in UK and ever since then my live has been full with laughter and great peace of mind. i urge you all with herpes or HSV to contact him if you willing to give him a chance. you can contact him through this email DRAZIEGBE1SPELLHOME@GMAIL .COM or you can also WhatsApp him +2349035465208
    He also cured my friend with HIV and ever since then i strongly believe he can do all things. Don't be deceived thinking he does not work, i believe if you can get in contact with this man all your troubles will be over. i have done my part in spreading the good news. Contact him through his email and you will be the next to testify of his great work.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Happiness is all i see now I never thought that I will be cured from HERPES virus again. I have been suffering from a deadly disease (HERPES) for the past 3 years now, I had spent a lot of money going from one places to another, from churches to churches, hospitals have been my home every day residence. Constant checks up have been my hobby not until this faithful day, I was searching through the internet, I saw a testimony on how DR agaba helped someone in curing his HERPES disease, quickly I copied his email which is Dragabasolutionhome@gmail.com just to give him a test I spoke to him, he asked me to do some certain things which I did, he told me that he is going to provide the herbal cure to me, which he did, then he asked me to go for medical checkup after some days after using the herbal cure, behold I was free from the deadly disease, he only asked me to post the testimony through the whole world, faithfully am doing it now, please brothers and sisters, he is great, I owe him in return. if you are having a similar problem just email him on : Dragabasolutionhome@gmail.com or WhatApp: +2349074536486  

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have been suffering from (HERPES) disease for the last four years and had constant pain, especially in my knees. During the first year, I had faith in God that I would be healed someday.This disease started to circulate all over my body and I have been taking treatment from my doctor, a few weeks ago I came on search on the internet if I could get any information concerning the prevention of this disease, on my search I saw a testimony of someone who has been healed from (Hepatitis B and Cancer) by this Man Dr. Silver and she also gave the email address of this man and advise we should contact him for any sickness that he would be of help, so I wrote to Dr. Silver telling him about my (HERPES Virus) he told me not to worry that I was going to be cured!! hmm i never believed it,, well after all the procedures and remedy given to me by this man few weeks later I started experiencing changes all over me as the Dr. assured me that I have cured, after some time i went to my doctor to confirmed if I have been finally healed behold it was TRUE, So friends my advice is if you have such sickness or any other at all you can email Dr. Silver (drsilverhealingtemple@gmail.com) sir I am indeed grateful for the help I will forever recommend you to my friends!!! with your lovely Email Address ( drsilverhealingtemple@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Some years ago I was tested herpes positive and ever since then i have been taking different kinds of medicine but yet no improvement until i saw testimonies on the internet of how Dr.osaze has been curing different people from different kinds of diseases, immediately i contacted him. After our discussion he prepared the medicine and send it to me, which i received and took according to his instructions. Now my doctor just confirmed me herpes negative. My heart is so filled with joy, thank you so much Dr.osaze for curing me. If you are reading this and you are suffering from herpes or any other disease you can contact Dehichioya on this Email address: drosaze80@gmail.com or you whatsapp him on +2349136277742

    . He is a honest man

    ReplyDelete
  8. I Can't still believe that i got cured from Genital Herpes through herbal treatment from Dr agaba who I met through the internet, I actually couldn't believe it at first because it sounded impossible to me knowing how far I have gone just to get rid of it. Dr agaba send me his medicine which I took as instructed and here I am living a happy life once again, a big thanks to Dr agaba, I am sure there are many herbal doctors out there but Dr agaba did it for me, contact him Dragabasolutinhome@gmail.com ,, also call or whatsApp him on +2349074536486,

    ReplyDelete
  9. My name is TRINA MATEO'S i'm from south africa, life has not been easy for me ever since i was diagnosed of type 2 herpes virus and my life was in shallow and so depressed, i have used a lot of drugs but it never helped. I got to learn about DR.MOMOH through a friend, i contacted him via email: (DRMOMOHHEALERTEMPLE@GMAIL. COM) i was skeptical but he gave me his words and he sent me the natural herbal medicine and i made use of it. To my greatest surprise after 2 weeks i was tested and there was no trace of it. Today i have come to say DR.MOMOH i'am very greathful for your work. You can contact him via email DRMOMOHHEALERTEMPLE@GMAIL. COM on whatsApp +2348166979481 and he will assist you with any ailment. Thank you!.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm so excited my broken Marriage has been restored. My ex husband is back after he left me and our 2kids for another woman. I was so happy to meet Dr. OKu how he helps many people to bring their Lover back so i contact him to help me too. husbandThat was how Dr. Oku helped me to bring my  back.. A big thank you to Dr. Oku because I never thought my ex Husband will be back to me so quickly with your spell. You are the best and world greatest. If you are here and you need your Ex Lover back or your husband moved to another woman, do not cry anymore, contact this powerful spell caster now. Here’s his contact:Email him at: okutemple@gmail.com You can also Call/WhatsApp:+2348163425519

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm so excited my broken Marriage has been restored. My ex husband is back after he left me and our 2kids for another woman. I was so happy to meet Dr. OKu how he helps many people to bring their Lover back so i contact him to help me too. husbandThat was how Dr. Oku helped me to bring my  back.. A big thank you to Dr. Oku because I never thought my ex Husband will be back to me so quickly with your spell. You are the best and world greatest. If you are here and you need your Ex Lover back or your husband moved to another woman, do not cry anymore, contact this powerful spell caster now. Here’s his contact:Email him at: okutemple@gmail.com You can also Call/WhatsApp:+2348163425519

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm so excited my broken Marriage has been restored. My ex husband is back after he left me and our 2kids for another woman. I was so happy to meet Dr. OKu how he helps many people to bring their Lover back so i contact him to help me too. husbandThat was how Dr. Oku helped me to bring my  back.. A big thank you to Dr. Oku because I never thought my ex Husband will be back to me so quickly with your spell. You are the best and world greatest. If you are here and you need your Ex Lover back or your husband moved to another woman, do not cry anymore, contact this powerful spell caster now. Here’s his contact:Email him at: okutemple@gmail.com You can also Call/WhatsApp:+2348163425519

    ReplyDelete
  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I was diagnosed of herpes 3 years, and ever since then i have been taking treatment to prevent outbreaks, burning and blisters, but there was no improvement until i came across testimonies of Dr. VOODOO on how he has been curing different people from different diseases all over the world, then i contacted him. After our conversation he sent me the medicine which i took according to his instructions for up to 2 weeks. After completing the medication i went back to my doctor for another test and the virus was all gone and i was completely cured, since then i have not had any signs of outbreak. I'm so filled with joy. With herbal medication Herpes Virus is 100% curable. I refer Dr VOODOO to everyone out there with the virus Email: voodoospelltemple66@gmail.com Add Dr voodoo on whatsApp +2348140120719

    ReplyDelete
  15. It's a pleasure for me to write this testimony about this wonderful thing that happened to me last week on how i got my HIV aids cured, i have been reading so-many post of some people who were cured of HIV, but i never believed them, I was hurt and depressed so I was too curious and wanted to try dr.odoma then i contacted him on his email on drodomasolutionhome20@gmail.com when i contact him, he assured me 100% that he will heal me, i pleaded with him to help me out, it's a great success that he healed just as he promised, he told me that in three days time that i should go and check on my HIV status, I was floored that when i went to the hospital to check of my status that i was HIV negative, i never thought possible that dr.odoma can do miracles, i never really believed in magic but I played along with a little hope and faith and after everything but dr odoma changed my life and made me a true believer you can contact him drodomasolutionhome20@gmail.com or whatsapp Number: +2348100649947 he said that he is also specialize on the following diseases: HERPES, HIV, ALS, HPV, DIABETES, HEPATITIS B, CANCER,SICKLE CELL, VIRGINAL DRYNESS, And Bring Back Your Ex back.  

    ReplyDelete
  16. I was diagnosed of herpes 3 years, and ever since then i have been taking treatment to prevent outbreaks, burning and blisters, but there was no improvement until i came across testimonies of Dr. VOODOO on how he has been curing different people from different diseases all over the world, then i contacted him. After our conversation he sent me the medicine which i took according to his instructions for up to 2 weeks. After completing the medication i went back to my doctor for another test and the virus was all gone and i was completely cured, since then i have not had any signs of outbreak. I'm so filled with joy. With herbal medication Herpes Virus is 100% curable. I refer Dr VOODOO to everyone out there with the virus Email: voodoospelltemple66@gmail.com Add Dr voodoo on whatsApp +2348140120719

    ReplyDelete