J. Except. People 2017, 6(1):81-91

HIV/AIDS baseline awareness and persons with visual impairments in Cross River State, Nigeria

M. M. Ashi, J. E. Olayi, J. A. Ewa
Department of Special Education, Faculty of Education, University of Calabar, Nigeria

The objective of the study was to explore HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitude, behavior and interventions among persons with visual impairments in the Cross River State of Nigeria with a view to making HIV/AIDS services disability inclusive. Three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A sample of one hundred and fifty (N = 150) respondents were randomly selected from three Special Education Centers for the study. A four point Likers type questionnaire was the main instrument used to test the hypotheses. The data collected was analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistical analysis at.05 level of significance. Result obtained revealed that persons with visually impairments are potentially vulnerable to HIV transmission due to social exclusion and poverty, lack of knowledge, gender norms and obstacles to accessing HIV/AIDS programs. In this way, findings convincingly revealed that deaf/blind, the blind and other severely visually impaired persons in particular and the disabled population generally people are vulnerable to contacting HIV/AIDS and lack access to information, testing and treatment. In conclusion, therefore, it was recommended that workshops be organized for special education practitioners, healthcare workers and other service providers in special education schools/centers who should be trained to undertake intervention strategies, voluntary counseling and testing for persons with special needs in the state. Neither government programs for HIV/AIDS pandemic nor organizations for people with disabilities in Nigeria currently address the risks, needs and preferences of people with visual impairments.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, knowledge and attitude, interventions, vulnerability,Visual impairments.

Published: June 11, 2017  Show citation

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Ashi, M.M., Olayi, J.E., & Ewa, J.A. (2017). HIV/AIDS baseline awareness and persons with visual impairments in Cross River State, Nigeria. Journal of Exceptional People, 6(10), 81-91
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