Usage of Strategies for Mitigating the Effects of HIV/AIDS on Affected Farm Households in Gwe LGA of Benue State, Nigeria
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Date
2011-03-01
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Faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom, State, Nigeria
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to find out the level of usage and availability of HIV/AIDS mitigation strategies recommended by Food Agricultural organization(FAO) in 2001 to mitigate the effect of HIV/AIDS on affected farm household in order to sustain their livelihood with the broader aim of reducing food insecurity and poverty. This research was carried out in Gwer L.G.A. Benue State, Nigeria. A well structured interview schedule was used to obtain relevant information from 110 persons randomly selected from the study area. From the analysis of the data collected, it was revealed that majority (69.4%) of the heads of affected farm households fell between 21-45 years of age. This indicates that they are within the active and socio-economically viable age group. More than half of the household head (55.5%) are males, thus most of these households will have better access to agricultural inputs and other productive resources. The distribution also revealed that majority (76.4%) of the heads of affected farm households have one form of formal education or the other, thus indicating that they will be better equipped in utilizing the recommended HIV/AIDS mitigation strategies. The distribution of number of dependants showed that 70.6% of the affected farm households have not less than 6 dependants. Also the distribution of the annual income of affected households showed that only 7.7% of these households earn N36000 and above, thus majority of these households are poor. The results of the hypotheses tested revealed that there is no significant relationship between gender of the head of affected farm and the use of HIV/AIDS mitigation strategies, there is no significant relationship between the number of dependants and he use of HIV/AIDS mitigation strategies. This implies that the use of these strategies is not dependent on the gender of head of household and number of dependants. The tested hypotheses also revealed that there is a significant relationship between the age of head of affected farm households and the use of HIV/AIDS mitigation strategies, there is a significant relationship between the educational level of the head of affected farm households and the use of HIV/ AIDS mitigation strategies, and a significant relationship between the annual income of affected farm household and the use of HIV/AIDS mitigation strategies. Thus the use of the use of these mitigation strategies is dependent the age and educational
level of head of affected farm households and the annual income of affected households. Based on these findings it was
recommended that target policies should be put in place to address the non availability of these mitigation strategies. Steps should be taken to eradicate stigma and discrimination and also government should make ARTs (anti retroviral therapy) accessible to improve the life of PLWHAs
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Keywords
Rural, livelihood, impact, sustainable
Citation
Matanmi, B. M., Adesiji, G. B., Talabi, O. O; Omokore, D. F., & Abdulwahab-Aderinoye, S. A. (2011). Usage of Strategies for Mitigating the Effects of HIV/AIDS on Affected Farm Households in Gwe LGA of Benue State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment. 7(1): 42-48