Impact Of Non-Governmental Organizations\' Activities In Creating Awareness And Changing Rural Communities\' Attitudes To Hiv/Aids Victims In Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examines the impact of Non-Governmental Organizations\' (NGOs)
intervention in creating awareness and changing the mindset of people in typical
rural communities in Kaduna State towards victims of HIV/AIDS. Structured questionnaire were used to collect data from adult male and female as well as young male and female selected from 11 communities in Zango Kataf Local Government Area (LGA) where the NGOs have been working for the past four years. Results from data analyzed showed that there has been a considerable improvement in the level of awareness of the people of these communities on HIV/AIDS disease, its mode of transmission, knowledge of people suffering from the disease, its symptoms and prevention. It also showed that there is considerable
reduction in people\'s negative perception that eating or drinking with HIV/AIDS patients could infect them, thereby reducing the incidence of discrimination and stigmatization against the victims. The results further revealed that the activities of the NGOs have empowered people in the communities economically. However, it was found that there were just marginal improvement in the peoples\' knowledge of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS and its prevention. The study therefore recommended that government should as a matter of policy join forces with these NGOs and other viable ones all over the country to ensure effective control of the disease. This would ensure healthy and productive citizenry for improved economic activities.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, NGOs, Awareness, Rural communities Kaduna State.

Global Approaches to Extension Practice Vol. 4 (1) 2008: pp. 61-76