Coping Strategies against HIV/Aids by Rural Farming Households in the Southeast Zone of Nigeria

Abstract

A study to determine and examine the coping strategies against the Socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS epidemic on the farming households in the South-East Zone of Nigeria was carried out. The primary objective of the study was to identify the survival strategies of these farmers against the epidemic in order to provide effective recommendations for supporting the farming population in the SouthEast zone of Nigeria. Purposive and random sampling methods were
used in the selection of respondents for the study. Data collection was by the use of structured questionnaire and focus group discussion (FGD) guide. Results of the study showed that the impact of the HIV/AID epidemic include loss of agricultural labour, reduced family income, decreased agricultural output, increased family expenses, increased school drop-out of children, stigmatization of positive persons/households and loss of family assets. In order to mitigate the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, farming households have devised some coping strategies which were identified to include disposal of family assets, fund raising, consultation of traditional healers, provision of anti-retroviral drugs and commercial food supplements
and psycho-social support as well as rural-urban migration especially among the youths. Based on the research results, it is recommended that an integrated approach involving intensified HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns, HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support for positive persons and orphan and vulnerable children (OVC) using Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) strategies need to be adopted. Secondly, it is important that HIV/AIDS Testing and Counseling Centres be established at strategic locations in LGAs/communities across the country for easy referral and management of HIV/AIDS cases. Finally, these farming households should be provided with micro-credit, agricultural technologies, farm inputs, as well as encouraged to
belong to cooperative societies for increased agricultural production and family income.