Ojukwu MO, Olatidoye F, Omoworare F, Olaitan Y, Odutolu B, Odutolu A; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).

Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. ThPeD7769.

Life Vanguards, Osogbo, Nigeria

Issue: In Nigeria, HIV/AIDS programs have focused on the cities at the expense of more than 70% of the populace in the rural areas. This skewed approach is based on the theory that HIV prevalence is low in the rural areas. The 2001 sentinel survey showed that the theory is wrong. Besides lack of HIV program, many of the rural towns have poor health facilities to offer care and support for PLWHA/PABAs. Thus strengthening the capacity of rural dwellers for community-based HIV/AIDS response becomes crucial. Life Vanguards hence carried out a project on psychosocial support for PLWHAs in rural areas with focus on building the capacity of the communities to respond adequately to the scourge. Description: This assesses how HIV response activities have allayed HIV impact in the project community, how PLWHAs have been supported and empowered thereby improving their life's options. The project approaches include center-based activities, peer education, upgrading of VCTC, training of community volunteers and health workers for home-based care and support group activities for PLWHAs and PABAs. Lessons learned: Using community-generated approach increases the local folks' HIV/AIDS KAP. Involving health workers in community HIV/AIDS response boosts their participation in the overall HIV activities. Involving PLWHAs and their relatives reduces the pressure of stigma felt by caregivers and home-based care volunteers. The relatives and families of those infected have increasingly taken up more responsibility in caring and supporting the PLWHAs as awareness has increased. Recommendation: Although stigmatization still persist efforts should be put on the home front. The future lies in the effectiveness of the home-based care/support because the effect of stigma is strongest in the home environment, though with financial and logistical implications. The capacity of the home-based care team needs to be strengthened through training mainly on simple treatment of HIV-related OIs.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Counseling
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
• Health Services
• Home Care Services
• Nigeria
• Prevalence
• education

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0037322

UI: 102281538

From Meeting Abstracts