Comparison of knowledge and accessibility to information sources of HIV/AIDS between blind and sighted populations in Nigeria

Authors: Otte, Willem¹; van der Maas, Frank²; de Boer, Anthonius¹

Source: AIDS Care, Volume 20, Number 9, October 2008 , pp. 1093-1097(5)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

The aim of this study was to compare the HIV/AIDS knowledge and accessibility to HIV/AIDS information between blind and sighted individuals in Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken among rural and urban blind (57) and sighted (62) adolescents in 2006. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data about HIV/AIDS symptoms, transmission and prevention knowledge, as well as accessibility to sources of HIV/AIDS information. Binary logistic regression and chi-square statistics were applied to compare responses between the two populations. Blindness was found to be associated with diminished knowledge of HIV/AIDS transmission, prevention and symptoms. At the same time, the blind rely on different sources of HIV/AIDS information than sighted respondents. A lack of knowledge and limited accessibility to proper sources of information causes the blind disabled to be more vulnerable. It is necessary to supply them with proper information and increase their HIV/AIDS knowledge.

Keywords: blindness; AIDS; HIV; vulnerable populations; Nigeria

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09540120701842787

Affiliations: 1: Department of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacotherapy, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands 2: Community Based Rehabilitation Effata, Nwofe Iseke, Abakaliki, Nigeria

Publication date: 2008-10-01

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