Literacy for Folklore and Cultural Reformations: It’s Perspective in the Control of HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Since the inception of HIV/AIDS Programmes, massive awareness campaigns aimed at educating the populace on the dangers of HIV/AIDS have been on. It is observed that these awareness campaigns have not been matched with corresponding change in behaviour modification. Reports on HIV sentinel surveillance survey on Akwa Ibom State revealed a prevalence rate of 12.5% in 1999, 10.7% in 2001, 7.2% in 2003 and 8.0 in 2005. It is also documented that the Sub-Saharan African region records 2/3 of the total infection globally and constitutes 83% of death in the global index. The marginal increase from 7.2% to 8% in Akwa Ibom State and the high prevalence rate in the Sub-Saharan African is disturbing. This increase, as a matter of fact, is traceable to certain cultural/folklore inbuilt in lifestyles which has refused to change significantly with time. The writers advocate literacy for Folklore and Cultural Reformation viz a viz – Cultural dialogue and Behaviour Change Communication for HIV/AIDS Awareness, prevention and management. The paper argues that this approach could stem the alarming spread of HIV/AIDS, and its scourge on humanity.