Economic Consequences of HIV/AIDS on Patients at a Southern Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Abstract

This study was carried out among clients attending clinic in a teaching hospital in Uyo, southern Nigeria 
in 2005. The objective was to determine some of the financial implications of living with HIV/AIDS. This 
was a descriptive study. Data was collected using a structured, interviewer- administered questionnaire 
and was subsequently analysed using Epi 6 software. A total of 331 respondents participated in the 
study, with a male: female ratio of 1:1.The age distribution was 15-69 years. Up to 46.6% of respondents 
were married, with about 11% having more than 4 children. Though the respondents cut across all 
income groups, 44.7% either had no income or earned less than 5, 000 naira monthly. This could not 
support their laboratory investigations and treatment. Financial support was available to only 37.8% of 
them and was higher among those who disclosed their status to many people. Most of the support 
(80.8%) was from family members. Up to 60.7% of respondents had either borrowed money or sold 
assets and 56.9% could not afford quality food as before. Further studies will help determine the current 
trend of the financial impact of living with HIV/AIDS among clients attending clinic in this part of Nigeria.