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Abstract
Using information, education and communication (IEC) as a tool in the mobilization of communities for building sustainable home-based care opportunities for persons living with HIV/AIDS in rural resource-limited communities in Imo State, Nigeria
Umunna G.1
Objectives: The rising number of PLWHA comes with a lot of concern for the limited hospital facilities such as the number of beds, bed spaces, as well as caregivers. This is worsened by the growing weaknesses in medical infrastructures and the health sector as a whole in Nigeria. In the abiding circumstances, the cost of a prolonged hospitalisation and medical care for PLWHA is nothing less than traumatic and frustrating within a society that still battles with the presence of some socio-cultural and informational misrepresentation of HIV/AIDS and PLWHA. The target therefore was to mobilize and sensitize the community on the need for home-based care of PLWHA.
Methods: 390 adults from three rural communities were mobilized, of which 350 participated in the teaching session, while 35 of them participated in training programme for caregivers. Interventions in three most hit communities led to the mobilization and education of the communities on the facts and realities of HIV/AIDS, nature of prolonged hospitalisation and the fruits of home-based care for PLWHA as an alternative. Group discussions were held, training sessions conducted and data were collected from personal interviews conducted.
Results: More people from the communities showed some willingness to care and support their own PLWHA at home and work as volunteers in discouraging elements of stigmatization and discrimination. 20 out of the 35 people who took part in the training as caregivers were willing to continue as caregivers to PLWHA on voluntary basis, while some PLWHA who were taken in by the members of their family after a long period of hospitalization, expressed the warmth and satisfaction they derived staying in favorable environment.
Conclusion: This exercise led to evidence-based awareness of, and changed in the attitude of family/community members towards home-based care of PLWHA.
4th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention
Abstract no.
CDB418
Suggested Citation
" Umunna G.
Using information, education and communication (IEC) as a tool in the mobilization of communities for building sustainable home-based care opportunities for persons living with HIV/AIDS in rural resource-limited communities in Imo State, Nigeria.
:
4th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention:
Abstract no.
CDB418"
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