Comparison of knowledge and accessibility to information sources of HIV/AIDS between blind and sighted populations in Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the HIV/AIDS knowledge and accessibility to HIV/AIDS information between blind and sighted individuals in Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken among rural and urban blind (57) and sighted (62) adolescents in 2006. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data about HIV/AIDS symptoms, transmission and prevention knowledge, as well as accessibility to sources of HIV/AIDS information. Binary logistic regression and chi-square statistics were applied to compare responses between the two populations. Blindness was found to be associated with diminished knowledge of HIV/AIDS transmission, prevention and symptoms. At the same time, the blind rely on different sources of HIV/AIDS information than sighted respondents. A lack of knowledge and limited accessibility to proper sources of information causes the blind disabled to be more vulnerable. It is necessary to supply them with proper information and increase their HIV/AIDS knowledge.

Keywords:

• blindness
• AIDS
• HIV
• vulnerable populations
• Nigeria

Acknowledgements

We thank the staff of the Community Based Rehabilitation program Effata for the data collection.