An Impact Assessment of Socio-Medical Approach to Managing  Women Living With HIV/AIDS Based on the Opinions of Patients in  Heart-To-Heart Centres in Calabar Metropolis, Nigeria

Rosemary I.  Eneji; Stephen Adi  Odey; Eucharia  Nwagbara; Ushie Michael  Anake; Josephat Owan  Emeka; Esther P.  Archibong; Ikpeme Bassey  Ballanytne; Xiaoyun  Li

doi:10.36941/ajis-2022-0156

Authors

Rosemary I. Eneji Senior Lecturer, Department of Sociology, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria; *Corresponding Author
Stephen Adi Odey Senior Lecturer, Department of Sociology, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
Eucharia Nwagbara Professor, Associate Professor, Senior Lecturer & Lecturer, Department of Social Work, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
Ushie Michael Anake Professor, Associate Professor, Senior Lecturer & Lecturer, Department of Social Work, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
Josephat Owan Emeka Senior Lecturer, Department of Sociology, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
Esther P. Archibong Professor, Associate Professor, Senior Lecturer & Lecturer, Department of Social Work, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
Ikpeme Bassey Ballanytne Professor, Associate Professor, Senior Lecturer & Lecturer, Department of Social Work, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
Xiaoyun Li Professor, College of Humanities and Development, China Agricultural University, Haidian District, Beijing, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36941/ajis-2022-0156

Keywords:

HIV/AIDS, Heart-Heart, Women, Nigeria, drugs

Abstract

Nigerian women living with HIV/AIDS do face social, psychological and physical challenges in their daily lives. The objectives of this study were to determine how elements of the socio-medical approach have contributed to managing their health problems in Calabar metropolis, Nigeria. Six hundred women, aged 15-60 years, were sampled from Hearth-to-Heart Centers for their opinions on the socio-medical approach to managing their condition. The women expressed reasonable satisfaction with the availability and accessibility of socio-medical services: all of them received counselling, 92.2% were counselled on adherence, 81.7% received anti-retro viral services and 64.2% enjoyed family planning services. Some of the routine challenges highlighted by the women were poverty and fear of rejection by society. Also, the use of family planning does hinder their adherence to antiretroviral treatment. Overall, the socio-medical approach has been successful in managing their illness; more women should thus avail themselves of the opportunity of enjoying good health despite their HIV status.

Received: 22 July 2022 / Accepted: 22 October 2022 / Published: 5 November 2022