Abstract
There is a great public concern on the prevalence and effects of Human Immunes Virus (HIV) and AcquiredImmune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) on the rural farmers and agricultural productivity in Nigeria. This studyevaluated the implication of this disease on extension services, using Dekina LGA as its focus. It identified thelevel of HIV/AIDS prevalence by collecting secondary data on rate of HIV/AIDS infection from year 2000 to2005 from medical centers in the study area. The study also examined farmers’ perception on HIV/AIDS usingmean scores from 5 point Likert scale in which, one hundred and sixty contact farmers were interviewed.Farmers had the highest HIV/AIDS infection record with 50.6 percent and 8.19 in year 2001 and 2005respectively. While estimated farmers HIV/AIDS infection by 2010 would be 1,972. Findings also show thatHIV/AIDS has negative effect on farmers health (mean score of 3.88), while 4.13 showed that respondentsfavoured the statement that “stigmatization and the scaring nature of AIDS prevented them from going forHIV/AIDS test. About 20 percent the extension workers claimed that infected farmers negatively affected theirextension work delivery in some ways. This study therefore recommends that every village should be providedwith comprehensive health clinic that would offer free HIV/AIDS treatment while capacity building foragricultural extension agents that will disseminate information on HIV/AIDS to farmers be put in place. Team –work approach among rural development agencies concerned with provision of rural, community social servicesshould also be encouraged.
Highlights
Agriculture remains the largest non-oil export earner and the largest employer of labour accounting for 88 percent of non-oil foreign exchange earnings and 70 percent of the active labour force of the Nigerian population
A mean score of 3.88 out of a maximum score of 5, agreed with the statement that Human Immunes Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has negative effect on their health. This implies that close to eighty percent of the respondents are aware of the risk inherent in HIV/AIDS infection
The fact that many people or farmers are aware of the risk involved in HIV/AIDS, may not stop some people from indulging in what they know can take their lives
Summary
Agriculture remains the largest non-oil export earner and the largest employer of labour accounting for 88 percent of non-oil foreign exchange earnings and 70 percent of the active labour force of the Nigerian population. The gap between the inadequate food supply and demand may further widen if the health of the smallholder farmers who produce about 90 percent of the nation’s food and fibre are in danger (Okoro 1987). This is because the quality and quantity of labour supply is highly dependent on the state of their health (Umeh 1999). It implies that labour force of the rural communities is most likely going to be negatively affected in the event of any outbreak of a disease
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
