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COMBATING HIV/AIDS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA:
A CRITICAL STEP TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS.
BY
RANDA, ANDREW HODU,
SCHOOL OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION,
DEPARTMENT OF FINE & APPLIED ARTS,
FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION,
KONTAGORA, NIGER STATE.
BEING A PAPER PRESENTED AT THE 6TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON
“EDUCATION AND THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDG) AT
FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL) BICHI,
FROM 26TH - 29TH
MAY 2008.
ABSTRACT
The issue of HIV/AIDS has to be taken quite seriously if any meaningful impact is to be regarding achieving the set target of the Millennium Development Goals. It is pre-emptive that the youth should be the focal point because studies show the 85% of the people likely to be affected are between the ages of 15-25, and majority of the numbers can be found in out tertiary institutions. The paper attempted to take a cursory look at this very important issue from various angles while making recommendations that will be effective in curbing this menace from the fulcrum that is the future of Nigeria's tomorrow and as such help to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
INTRODUCTION
The United Nations (U.N) in September 2000 at the U.N headquarters in New York, United States of America pronounced an eight point agenda christened “UN Millennium Development Goals” which aims to improve living conditions and human values by the year 2015; these goals were:
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.
2. Achieve universal primary education.
3. Promote gender equality and empower women.
4. Reduce child mortality.
5. Improve maternal health.
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria & other diseases.
7. Ensure environmental sustainability.
8. Develop a global partnership for development.
These goals were meant to improve life, ensure the present and protect the future. The sixth point agenda concerning combating HIV/AIDS is one that needs to be addressed effectively. This pandemic has been in the spotlight and is increasingly becoming a part of our everyday challenges. It is paramount that this issue is tackled now if the future is to hold any substance for Nigeria. Benson (2002) stated that youths in Nigeria show a higher prevalence to HIV/AID (4.2-9.7%) and majority of these youths can be found in our tertiary institutions. If HIV prevention in the large young population fails, Nigeria will face staggering costs of vast numbers of adults and future leaders with AIDS.
Eso-Williams opined that the difference between a successful future for Nigeria and a bleak one is its ability to keep it’s emergent work force balanced in health, education and orientation; but the scourge of HIV /AIDS seems likely to stem this if nothing drastic is done immediately especially in our tertiary institution where future leaders are taught and shaped.
MEANING OF HIV/AIDS.
HIV: Is an abbreviation for Human Immuno Deficiency Virus, the causative agent of AIDS. HIV belongs to the retrovirus family of viruses whose members share a unique method of replicating themselves when they infect limo cells, Keshinro (2001) the virus is acquired and it selectively attacks and subdues white bloods cells that provide the body system immunity.
AIDS: is an acronym for Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome, a human viral disease, that ravages the immune system and undermine the body’s ability to defend itself.
Norton (1981) defined AIDS as a viral disease that impairs the immune system of the body, leaving it prey to a number of infections that would have been readily suppressed. AIDS is the final stage of a chronic infection with the human immuno-deficiency virus. There are two types of this virus: HIV -1, which is the primary cause of AIDS World-wide, and HIV-2, found mostly in west Africa WHO (2003).
HISTORY & ORIGIN OF HIV/AIDS
The origin of the AIDS Virus (HIV) has become a matter of intense international debate (Health Digest, March 1992), although most concur that it was first noticed in the New York and California in the United States in 1981 amongst homosexual men, however it didn’t shop there; The disease has now spread to every nook and creamy of the world.
AIDS was first identified in Africa in 1984 Encarta (2007) and by 1986; the deadly disease entered Nigeria, even though there are disputes to that effect. However it is worthless to continue to investigate the origin of the disease; what we need to do is to find ways to curb its spread since it has no cure.
HIV/AIDS IN NIGERIA
As earlier stated HIV/AIDS was first discovered in Nigeria in 1984. Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) (2001) and the numbers have continued to increase at an alarming rate.
In 1992, it was 556 cases; in 1999 it reached about 3 million, 2002 showed 4 million living with the virus NACA (2005) and a break down shows that:
· Young people between the ages of 15-24 are likely to be more infected than any age group. Benson (2007).
· Over one (1) million children in Nigeria under the age of 15 have lost one or both parents due to AIDS. (World Health Organization (WHO) 2007.
· Nigeria is second in Africa in the number of HIV infections.
This clearly shows that a lot of work has to be done to check this menace so as to reduce these numbers significantly amongst the youths in Nigeria.
SYMPTOMS OF HIV/AIDS
There has been a lot of misconception and denial related to HIV/AIDS, most cases are taken for malaria, fever, typhoid fever, tuberculosis and other flu related disease, however according to Achalu (1993, 1996) People affected will show the following symptoms.
· Dry cough that persists after treatment.
· Tuberculosis (T.B)
· Infections in the mouth and sores around open areas of the body.
· Loss of weight, (about 10% of body weight)
· Prolonged or constant fever
· Persistent diarrhea for longer than a month
· General skin itching/rashes.
During this phase, known as acute retroviral syndrome, HIV reproduces rapidly in the blood, particularly concentrating in organs of the lymphatic system. If should be noted that as the illness advance, the symptoms increase in severity, as it continues, the central nervous system and vital organs are affected and the victim manifests loss of weight, hallucination, paralysis of the lower limbs.
Finally, the victim assumes a skeletal like shape and eventually dies at about 18 months to two years from the time they were infected; however the timing varies in severity from one patient to the other. Nwafor (2001)
MODE OF TRANSMISSION/SPREAD OF HIV/AIDS
The virus spreads from one person to another in different ways, this can be through blood, semen or vaginal secretions of an infected person; HIV transmission occurs most commonly during sexual intercourse with an infected person, including genital, anal and oral sex. NACA (2005). Scientists have identified three ways that HIV infection spread; Ezekwesili, Ubachukwu & Nwagbo (2001) highlighted the following ways.
SEX WITH AN INFECTED PERSON.
An infected person can transfer the virus to another person during unprotected sexual intercourse. According to Ibenwa (2002) and USAIDS (2003), heterosexual sex accounts for majority of transmissions in developing countries of which Nigeria is one.
CONTACT WITH INFECTED BLOOD
Direct contact with HIV- infected blood can led to getting infected; This can happen when people who are Drugs share hypodermic needles or syringes contaminated with infected blood;
In Nigeria, the use of clippers in barbing saloons, nail cutters, pedicurist that are infected with blood from an infected person can lead to getting infected. Transfusion of infected blood or blood products also accounts for 3-5% of adult infection, Chim (2002). There are also cases of health professionals accidentally sticking themselves with needles containing HIV-infected blood or expose an open cut to contaminated blood.
MOTHER TO CHILD TRANSMISSION
HIV can be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby while the baby is still in the woman’s uterus or more commonly during childbirth. It could be before birth (placenta) during birth through the body fluids) or after birth (through breast feeding).
PREVENTION /CONTROL OF HIV/AIDS
It is a known fact that HIV/AIDS has no cure at the moment; therefore it is imperative that certain precautions are taken so as to be on the right track to achieving millennium development goals. Some of these measures include:
· Avoid having indiscriminate sex and if married, remain faithful to your partner.
· Do not share sharp objects like needles, syringes, razor bladders, clipper, manicure sets, tooth brush, chewing sticks.
· Make sure blood is screened at reputable laboratory before transmission.
· Use approved Condoms in the right manner
· Intending couples should go for a HIV test before getting married.
YOUTHS IN NIGERIA & HIV/AIDS
The BBC English Dictionary defines youth as the quality or state of being young, or a period of life when a child learns before he/she grows into a fully mature adult. While the Encarta Microsoft Student describes youth as an early time of life, and metaphorically, the optimism of innocence.
This age group is more prone to getting infected because of their adventures nature and ignorance in some cases. WHO (World health Organization) projects that the age groups likely to be infected are between the ages of 15-24 and this group are the core youths and Nigeria is no exception.
Kinta and Umar (2006) stated that youths in Nigeria show a higher prevalence to HIV/AIDS (4.2 – 9.7% and if HIV prevention in the young population fails, Nigeria will be unable to achieve it’s target towards achieving the millennium developments goals. The pervading economic crunch has driven the Nigerian youth into poverty, desperation and depression. Some have resorted to vices like prostitution and drug abuse which is a risk factor to contacting HIV.
A lot is to be done to sensitize and educate the youths on the dangers and consequences of contacting the virus, so as to create a better Nigeria for the future and sustain its emergent work force.
HIV/AIDS EDUCATION IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.
It is a well known fact that the future lies in education and the tertiary institutions are the platforms to actualize these ambitions. To effectively reach out to students and staff and the immediate communities, new & innovative ideas have to be adopted, this is pivotal as a means of engaging young people as a force for change in targeting the trends of the epidemic Ezembu (2007). The key areas to be looked at are:
· . Prevention strategies of HIV transmission.
· . Support for these already infected by HIV/AIDS.
HIV/AIDS education is fundamental in our tertiary institutions if the millennium development goals are to be attained because it is only healthy and fit youth that can help actualize this eight point agenda. There is an increase in promiscuity and sexual permissiveness in our schools due to the modern society that exposes the youth to various vices through magazines, explicit journals, radio, television and more recently the internet, Achalu (2002) and as such young people are most likely to indulge in risky sexual practices and drug use.
The main focus of HIV/AIDS education should be:
· The threat of AIDS and risk of infection is real and they too can be affected.
· HIV infection can be avoided through responsible sexual behavior
· The risk involved in drug use.(via needles and syringes)
· If possible, abstinence should be muted as an option.
STRATEGIES FOR HIV/AIDS EDUCATION.
For information to be readily embraced by the youths in our tertiary institutions, certain strategies need to be taken. The most fundamental factor is the peer to peer education system, where one youth is trained and equipped to relate with his fellow youth. This has proved successfully in some institution like Yaba college of Technology, Lagos state and Lagos State University: TIP(Tertiary institutions institute) (2007).
The effectiveness of the peer education approach has helped TIP (Tertiary Institution Project) recognize the value of allowing students to organize and initiate their own prevention activities and campaigns. Other methods include:
Student friendly HIV Units should be provided in institutions and youth centers.
Education programmes aimed at preventing HIV/AIDS should be focused on students, teachers and other school personnel
Education and advocacy is needed on the stigmatization of those already infected by HIV. Another important factor is that of counseling PLWHA (People living with HIV/AIDS) and YPLWHA (Young people living with HIV/AIDS).this groups have to be counseled regularly and formed into support groups where they are given hope, encouraged and giving a stage to express their hopes, fears and concerns. Effective counseling is crucial and is regarded as therapeutic, Aremu (2004).
According to WHO (1998) the prejudice which AIDS evokes brings stigma, discrimination and hostility. The counselor should establish good rapport with the patient; demonstrate love, care and respect so as to serve as a model for others.
YOUTHS AS A FORCE FOR CHANGE
Youths in our tertiary institution can be an important factor in combating HIV/AIDS. The peer to peer initiative can be used to change the orientation of the Nigerian youths towards conveying the message to their peers, enlightening them on the dangers of sexual promiscuity, care for tools used for their manicure and pedicure, use of sterilised equipments for various body care and general health goals, it will be more easier for them to communicate with each other. Student Counselors can be placed under supervision from a qualified Counselor to give assistance in certain areas lacking. A careful lifestyle on our campuses will lead to a drastic reduction in the spread of HIV/AIDS. The youths need to stand up and be counted for because the future is their and they must ensure its successes.
HIV, YOUTHS & THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS
The Millennium Development Goal of combating HIV/AIDS falls squarely on the shoulders of youths who are the bed rock of the society.
The youths of today are referred to as the HIV generation. Ezembu (2007), they are growing up in a world trying to combat the menace of HIV/AIDS, the future has to be secured through the youths.
Various NGO’s are currently making in-roads to help stem the tide, concentrating mainly on youths, developing programmes and initiatives to reach out to the youth, with the primary aim of achieving the millennium development goals. The World Bank (2000) opined that HIV/AIDS is wiping out the development gains of this generation. The high prevalence countries cannot expect to gain any meaningful development until the epidemic is brought under control and in that regard, Odukoya (2004) identified educating the youth as the only means for eradicating HIV/AIDS. This can be achievable through various agents of change, peer youth educators non-governmental organizations, Churches and Mosques can go a long way in helping this noble cause. These groups in collaboration with the youths will optimistically make a considerable impact in HIV prevention amongst Youths in the country and in particular, our tertiary institution. TIP Institute (2007).
In addition to the innovative ways to target young people as a force for changed of the epidemic, an enabling environment has to be created which involves;
· Mobilizing community support for active participation of young students in HIV prevention campaigns.
· Strengthening capacity of youths on HIV prevention care and support.
· Integration of youth programmes of an HIV/AIDS into the school extra-curricular activities.
· Develop effective data storage & monitoring and evaluation for reference or research purposes beating the battle against HIV/AIDS.
To eradicate this epidemic amongst youths in our tertiary institution is a tall order that needs to be tackled with every resource available so as to hit the target of 2015 set by the United Nations for ending the epidemic of HIV/AIDS.
RECOMMENDATIONS
· Integration of HIV/AIDS as a course in general studies departments of tertiary institutions.
· Parents should be more involved with their wards by providing necessary sex education and HIV/AIDS tips.
· Institutions should provide qualified personnel to man VCT (Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centres.)
· Participatory peer group support and education programs should be encouraged and given full support by the authorities.
· Make HIV Screening free.
· Qualified counselors and therapists should be employed full time to serve along side the staff at the V.C.T centres.
· Stigma reduction should be a priority in our institutions.
· HIV/AIDS weeks can be introduced, where seminars, workshops and rallies can be held to enlighten the students.
CONCLUSION
The issue of HIV/AIDS is real and a threat to human society more especially the youths. Our tertiary institutions habour the future generation and this group needs to be protected adequately, educated and informed about the killer disease so that they can be aware and practice safe methods, adopt a responsible social life style and sexual behaviour that does not predispose them to HIV infection.
The Government must deploy all its resources to ensure that information, education and counseling reach this endangered group. Co-operation with Non-governmental Organization (NGO) should be encouraged to come out with programmes that positively impact on the youth; if this is a done the millennium development goal of combating HIV/AIDS by 2015 can be realized.
REFERENCES
Achalu, E.I. (1993). AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases: what everybody should know, Aba: Standard Printers and Binders
Achalu, E.I. (1996) AIDS: How to protect yourself and family, Signs and Symptoms. Aba: Jericho Press.
Aremu, O.D. (2004). Introduction to giudnace and Counselling for students in Tertiary Institutions (2nd ed.) Kontagora: Unique Printing Press.
Benson T.(2007, July 14,Youth intervention on STDs/HIV/AIDS in tertiary institutions in Nigeria, NLM Gateway, Retrieved May 11, 2008, http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/gw/Cmd?link
Ezekwesili, N.O, Ubachukwu, P.O ,& Nwagbo, C.R (2000). Introduction to Natural Science 2, Onitsha: ITP Press.
Ezembu H.I (2007). HIV/AIDS among Nigerian Youths: Issues and Counselling Implications. Kontagora
HIV/AIDS and youths in developning countries.(2008). Microsoft Student 2007(DVD).Redmond,California: Microsoft Corporation.
Norton, Peter B. (1984) "AIDS" Encyclopedia Britannica Vol. 1, USA: P.9-10.
Odukoya, D.(2004) HIV/AIDS and the education sector in Nigeria: review of policy and research documents. Abuja. Educational Research Network for West and Central Africa. retrieved May 19,2008, from http://www.rocare.org/HIV_AIDS_educationsector_Nigeria.pdf
World Health Organization, African Region.(2008). HIV/AIDS (Nigeria) Issues and Strategies,:retrieved May 21, 2008 from http//www.who.int/countries/nga/en/
