INFORMATION NEEDS AND RESOURCE UTILIZATION BY PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS: A CASE STUDY OF ESUT TEACHING HOSPITAL PARKLANE ENUGU

INFORMATION NEEDS AND RESOURCE UTILIZATION BY PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS: A CASE STUDY OF ESUT TEACHING HOSPITAL PARKLANE ENUGU

INTRODUCTION

One of the most devastating scourges of our time is the problem of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS). Undoubtedly HIV/AIDS present a major challenge to human development in Nigeria. Besides poverty, no problem has given Nigeria a more daunting challenge than the present battle with HIV/AIDS. According to Omoniyi (2013), HIV/AIDS can only be transferred through exchange of body fluid such as blood, semen and vaginal secretions. This means that HIV/AIDS cannot be contracted through causal contract with infected person either at work, school or at home. Also Chagbe (2012) opined that the health of the people is the greatest natural resource of a nation upon which their happiness and power as a nation depends.

Moreover, health is of utmost important in every human fact. That is the reason why every hand should be on deck to promote it. For it is when people are healthy that they can work and any nation who’s workforce comprises of sick persons is finished. According to Moonie (2013) is of the opinion that most individuals that are affected by the virus are vulnerable to chains of other diseases and the cost of medication eats deep into their savings. Also, some families who have lost their bread winners to this disease are faced with untold hardship such as non payment of school fees, house rents and the consequences of being seat out of school and thrown out by landlords.

In addition, the information needs needed to fight against HIV/AIDS include: Health education, the control of sexual transmitted disease, the establishment and management of surveillance programmes, prevent mother to child transmission, provide and manage antiretroviral therapy programmes, human resources development and government involvement. These information needs will help to combat HIV/AIDS.