Hilhorst T, van Liere M J, Ode A V, de Koning K
Royal Tropical Institute, PO Box 95001, 1090 HA Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
SAHARA J. 2006 May;3(1):382-93. doi: 10.1080/17290376.2006.9724864.
This study addresses the socio-economic impact of AIDS on rural livelihoods in Benue State, Nigeria, where HIV prevalence is 9.3% but the number of AIDS cases is still relatively low. About 6% of the study households had experienced illness and death classified as AIDS, and reported high costs in terms of expenditures and time spent on care, funerals and mourning. These demands on time affected income and productivity, while the diversion of resources had implications for investments and savings. Coping strategies varied between households, mainly as a reflection of asset levels, which were often related to the gender of the household head. Reported coping strategies also differed between ethnic groups. First-line relatives were the most important source of support for households under pressure. Erosive coping strategies that undermined the sustainability of livelihoods were used by more vulnerable households following multiple cases of illness and death. Mourning practices, rules of inheritance and stigma tended to increase a household's vulnerability. Currently, Benue State is facing growing adult morbidity and mortality because of HIV infections. A context-specific study of its possible impact in a setting with a still relatively low number of AIDS cases is therefore important for informing local policy development and for building advocacy.
本研究探讨了艾滋病对尼日利亚贝努埃州农村生计的社会经济影响。在该州，艾滋病毒感染率为9.3%，但艾滋病病例数量仍然相对较少。约6%的研究家庭经历过被归类为艾滋病的疾病和死亡情况，并报告称在护理、葬礼和哀悼方面的支出和时间成本很高。这些时间需求影响了收入和生产力，而资源的转移对投资和储蓄产生了影响。不同家庭的应对策略各不相同，这主要反映了资产水平，而资产水平往往与户主的性别有关。不同族群报告的应对策略也有所不同。一线亲属是面临压力的家庭最重要的支持来源。在出现多起疾病和死亡情况后，较脆弱的家庭采用了破坏生计可持续性的侵蚀性应对策略。哀悼习俗、继承规则和耻辱感往往会增加家庭的脆弱性。目前，由于艾滋病毒感染，贝努埃州正面临着成人发病率和死亡率不断上升的问题。因此，在艾滋病病例数量仍然相对较少的情况下，针对其可能产生的影响进行具体情况研究，对于为地方政策制定提供信息和开展宣传工作具有重要意义。
