The Role Of Barbing Salons, Pedicure And Manicure Centres In The Spread Of Hiv/Aids In Lagos, Nigeria: A Case For Media Intervention

Abstract

Since 1986 when the first HIV/AIDS patients were diagnosed in Lagos, Nigeria, the disease has been spreading with the speed of tornado. Three of the country's leading national dailies, New Age, The Surf and Comet recently report that “statistics on the HIV/AIDS scourge reveals that it has been growing from 1.8 percent (1993), 5.4 percent (1999) and 5.8 percent (2001)”. While concerted efforts are being made by Governments of the federation and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in sensitizing the public about the causes and prevention of the disease, an area where little or no emphasis has been placed is the Barbing Salons, Pedicure and Manicure operators. Aside sexual intercourse and blood transfusion, experts claimed that sharing of unsterilized sharp objects such as Blades, Needles, and Knife with an infected person or using instrument which are not sterilized but which another person has previously used are equally avenues of contacting HIV/AIDS. The aim of this study therefore is to ascertain the possible contribution of Nigerians in metropolitan Lagos, who are into the kinds of business where sharp objects are daily used to the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country

JORIND Vol. 3 (2) 2005: pp. 118-124