THE IMPACT OF HIV/AIDS ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF ABAKALIKI AND AFIKPO IN EBONYI STATE

Since 1985 when the first Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome case was detected in Nigeria, the epidemic has grown rapidly. The HIV prevalence has increased from 1.8% in 1991 to 4.4% in 2013. Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is among the highest in West Africa and the country has the second highest burden of HIV as 3.4 million people are said to be positive. The social, economic and demographic impacts for Nigeria and Ebonyi State are considered to be vital. The study examined the Socio-Economic Impact of HIV/AIDS in Abakiliki and Afikpo in Ebonyi State. Based on the objectives of this investigation, the study was limited to Abakaliki and Afikpo. Data from National Bureau of Statistics, United Nations Human Development Report, National Health Survey, National Agency for the Control of AIDS, State Action Committee on AIDS, Local Action Committee on AIDS, Ebonyi State Ministry of Health, Focus Group Discussion conducted by United Nations Development Programme in Ebonyi State, Fifteen (15) In-depth interview conducted by the researcher and impact studies on the state and other related states. The method of data collection used was secondary data complimented with In-depth interview. In-depth summary and coding with simple percentage were used to analyze the data. Some of the important findings are, HIV/AIDS has more negative effect on women than men, A large proportion of family income goes to medical expenses on HIV/AIDS, HIV/AIDS has increase the cost and burden of health care delivery in Ebonyi state, HIV/AIDS has increase the number of school drop-outs in Ebonyi state, HIV/AIDS reduces agricultural productivity in the communities and state. From the result of the In-depth interview conducted by the researcher, 74% of the respondent agreed that HIV/AIDS have a negative impact on the Family, Community, women, Children, Education, Agriculture and health care delivery in Abakiliki and Afikpo in Ebonyi State, 10% disagreed while the other 16% have no opinion. Based on this result and the evidence from the In-depth summary of the selected secondary data one can then conclude that HIV/AIDS has a negative impact on the Socio-Economic development of Afikpo and Abakiliki in Ebonyi State Nigeria.