Effects of HIV/AIDS On rural farmers activities in Ivo L.G.A of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of HIV/AIDS on rural farmers activities in Ivo L.G.A of Ebonyi State. Data were collected from one hundred and twenty (120) rural farmers (96 HIV negative farmers and 24 HIV Positive farmers) with the help of community health workers and extension agents through a structured questionnaire during the testing of the respondents HIV status. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Findings revealed that 95.8% of the respondents have heard of HIV/AIDS and 4.2% claimed to be ignorant of their HIV status. Also, 90.8% of the respondents were aware of its mode of transmission while, 30% knew how it can be controlled and avoided. It was also revealed that HIV/AIDS reduced agricultural activities as perceived by majority (53.3%) of the respondents. Furthermore, 79.2% of the rural farmers believed that the disease has reduced their farm income and regular sales of their farm produce. The study therefore recommended that relevant information on mode of transmission; control and effect of HIV/AIDS should be published and translated into local dialects for the rural populace who are predominantly peasant farmers. Extension agents need to educate and encourage the rural people to know their HIV/AIDS status and the damage posed by this epidemic.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Rural farmers, Effects, Rural development.