Availability of HIV/AIDS Information to Women in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria (Published)
The study was carried out to determine how HIV/AIDS information was made available to women in Ikom Local Government Area. Survey method was used through the administration of questionnaire. 300 copies of the questionnaire were distributed. The return was 90%. It was revealed that, due to poverty and the low level of education, the women found it very difficult to have access to available HIV/AIDS information whenever it was made available. It is therefore, recommended that adult schools should be established in all Local Government Areas of Cross River State especially Ikom Local Government Area to educate the women and sensitize them about the dangers of this deadly disease and how to prevent it especially from mother-child. By educating the women, it will enable them access available HIV/AIDS information at the appropriate time. Women should be empowered so that, they do not rely entirely on men financially.
Keywords: Availability, Cross River State, HIV/AIDS, Ikom Local Government, Information, Women
HIV/Aids Knowledge and Accessibility to HIV Information among Women in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria (Published)
The study was to determine HIV/AIDS knowledge and accessibility to HIV information among women in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. A total of 402 women were recruited using multi-stage random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was designed to generate data from the respondents. Data collected were entered and analysed using SPSS (version 20.0) and results were presented in tables and charts. Chi-square was used to test for association between variables at 5% level of significance. Findings from this study revealed most study participants (25.6%) were within the age bracket of 35-39 years, (91.8%) Christians, (71.9%) married and (43.3%) had undergone secondary education. Most respondents were civil servants (32.6%), traders/business women (15.7%), farmers (9.7%) and 20.3% were low income earners. Respondents exhibited high knowledge level of HIV/AIDS as the media (39.1%), health workers (18.7%) and HIV/AIDS campaigns (15.0%) were their major sources of information. About 54.5% respondents reported that they currently have access to HIV/AIDS information and other reproductive health services with primary health centers (21.4%) and hospitals as their top source of information centers. Intensifying HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns and improving access to reproductive health services are core strategies in averting HIV morbidity and mortality among women domiciling in semi-urban and remote settings.
Keywords: Accessibility, HIV/AIDS, Knowledge, Obudu LGA, Women