Family and Marriage Counseling and HIV/Aids Pandemic in Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: There is no national demographic survey for the purpose of examining the impact of HIV/AIDS on trends in reproductive behavior of infected Nigerians. This work will provide an insight into such trends in Nigeria. Methods: This study was carried out in Aba, Abia state Nigeria with the purpose to improve the quality of life of married couples especially of HIV couples. It consists of providing family and marriage counseling services to married people. Results: Results 1 The response to HIV/AIDS among the noninfected are assessed below by considering in turn, possible effects on fertility desires, sexual exposures, contraceptive behavior and postpartum behaviors. An in-depth qualitative study to determine the extent to which awareness of HIV/AIDS has affected child-bearing and awareness created in the field of counseling. Result 2 Survey data fromrural Ngwa area provide a more quantitative evidence, hence buttressing a conscious increase in fertility desires in response to the AIDS pandemic. One half of the respondents when asked directly expressed their desire to have fewer children because of AIDS. Conclusion: Fertility desires are driven by some social and economic considerations that are surprisingly robust in encountering AIDS pandemic. It is widely known that economic costs of how HIV children are being maintained is enormous that is not enough valid reason of curtailing reproduction in our society. Some educated couples reason that many children and poverty increases the likelihood of acquiring AIDS, hence they see the argument about HIV/AIDS as a strategy for restricting fertility. With the exception of studies by Lyons (2001) there are few investigations qualitative and quantitative of the extent to which awareness of HIV/AIDS has changed childbearing aspirations. There is a need for further research on the ways in which consciousness of AIDS pandemic is or is not transforming reproductive strategies.