The economic burden of HIV/AIDS on patients seeking care at a university teaching hospital in Southwestern Nigeria

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.