|
|
Abstract
Health Inequalities And Access To Treatment For People Living With HIV/AIDS In Nigeria
Obioha E.1
Introduction: In Nigeria, AIDS is perceived as the singular leading cause of death in at present, which rapidly weakens the economic and social base structures and stability in the already fragile country. In response to this situation, lots of efforts are in place to check the spread of the disease, including development of HIV/AIDS vaccines and distribution of treatment materials. However, the question remains, how equitable are these measures, especially in the distribution of the antiretroviral drugs to the infected population, considering the poor Nigerians living in abject poverty who seem to be the most vulnerable. This study therefore articulates the context of health inequality among various population and social groups in Nigeria and how it affects access to treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS in the country. The basic assumption of this paper is that the health inequality situation in Nigeria exacerbates, and therefore forestalls meaningful efforts towards the control of HIV/AIDS spread in the country.
Methods: The study utilized institution based secondary sources of data collection. A sample of ten HIV/AIDS referral centers was visited from where the documentations on the categories of people who attend the centers were obtained.
Results: The paper found that social class, status, and level of individual’s access to medical health care facilities invariably affect the procurement, the distribution, access and even the use of HIV/AIDS preventive and care/management drugs.
Conclusions: The author therefore suggests ways of bridging the gap in access to health facilities between the poor and the rich in order to enhance their chances of getting HIV/AIDS drugs and other preventive measures.
The 3rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment
Abstract no.
MoPe11.1C07
Suggested Citation
" Obioha E.
Health Inequalities And Access To Treatment For People Living With HIV/AIDS In Nigeria.
Poster Exhibition:
The 3rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment:
Abstract no.
MoPe11.1C07"
|
|
|