Farmers' awareness level of HIV/AIDS prevention in Ondo State, Nigeria: implication for food security

Abstract

The study examined the level of HIV/AIDS awareness among rural farmers in Ondo State, Nigeria and its implication for food security. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 200 respondents from 5 LGAs and 20 villages and descriptive statistics was used to analyze data collected. A total of 77.5% of the respondents were between the ages of 20 and 49 years, 52.5% were illiterate and only 35% were married. Out of 60% who were aware of HIV/AIDS, majority of them was aware of the use of condom (94.2%) to prevent infection. The first four sources of information about HIV/AIDS prevention indicated by the respondents were friends/relatives (98.3%) radio programmes (90.0%), church/mosque (80.8%) and personal interaction of farmers with extension agents (69.2%). It is recommended that governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as agricultural extension practitioners should intensify efforts in educating rural farmers about HIV/AIDS prevention. HIV/AIDS education should also be incorporated into extension programmes.


(J Agric & Soc Res:2003 3(2): 1-11)