Cost-Benefit Analysis of Anti-Retroviral Therapy (Art) for HIV/AIDS Treatment and its Economic Implications in Nigeria

Abstract

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) means treating retroviral infections like HIV with drugs. These drugs though do not kill the virus but slowed down the growth of the virus. When the virus is slowed down, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) disease is also slowed down. ART drugs are referred to as ARV and ARV therapy is referred to as ART. From the chi square analysis, this study contends that the cost of treating HIV/AIDS is high and that is why most patients cannot access HIV/AIDS treatment even though these drugs are supposed to be free. It was also discovered that HIV/AIDS disease reduces labour force and productivity of the affected country and also affect individual income which in turn reduces savings rate and low level of school enrollment. The researcher therefore suggests that bay centers should be opened in rural areas for easy accessibility by people who suffer from HIV/AIDS leaving within these areas.