The impact of some Socio-Demographic factors on the HIV infection in EDO, DELTA, BAYELSA, RIVERS, AKWA IBOM AND CROSS RIVER STATES

Abstract

The emergence of AIDS on the global scene has been a major source of concern worldwide. HIV stands for Human Immuno-deficiency Virus and it causes AIDS. When HIV has destroyed the immune system, the symptom of AIDS begins to manifest. AIDS stands for Acquired Immunedeficiency Syndrome, which is the leading cause of death in the sub-saharan Africa. The study in Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States was to find how some sociodemographic factors such as Age, Gender, Income, Marital Status impact on HIV infection. The study design was a correlational observation survey and the populations were HIV (+) and HIV (-) subjects who assessed their drugs from the Pharmacy Department of the selected hospital. Structured questionnaires were the study instrument and purposive sampling was used. Out of the 1250 questionnaires distributed, only 955 responded and of these respondents, 66.3% were females while 33.7% were males. 61.3% of the respondents were HIV(+), while 38.7% were HIV(-). Infection was highest within the Age group of 20 – 40 years (54%). Female gender accounted for a
larger proportion of those who were HIV positive (57.6%) than the males (42.4%). The infection was high among the unmarried, which accounted for (39.3%) of the study. An association existed between low income and vulnerability of contracting HIV infection (p = 0.05). The result from the relative risk factor analysis indicated that gender (females) was the most influential factor to HIV susceptibility. The study established that socio-demographic factors such as Age, Gender, Marital status and Income significantly influenced HIV infection in Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States of Nigeria.