Intersection between Disability and HIV and the Impact of Poverty on Persons with Disability. A case Study of VCT Centers of Menlik II Referral Hospital, Mekdim National Association and Saris Health Center in Arada and Nefas Silk-Lafto Sub-cities of Addis Ababa

Abstract

According to the UNAIDS 2012 report there were favorable trends in many countries. However, compared to other regions, of Sub-Saharan Africa, which has just over 10% of the world’s population, has remained the most affected region, where more than two thirds of all HIV positive people are found. As one of the Sub Saharan African countries, Ethiopia is facing similar challenges of the epidemic. According to the report of Federal HAPCO 1.2 million people were HIV positive with the adult population with prevalence of 2.4 percent .The Prevalence in the capital Addis Ababa was estimated to be 4.5 %. The objective of the study is to depict the interlink/intersection of disability, HIV and poverty as influencing factor and indicate the need for multi sector inclusive development programming that address hidden problems of PWDs such as sexual, HIV Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of men and women with disabilities, as well as the factors determining their utilization of HIV services. This study has attempted to assess the factors that contribute the intersection/inter link between HIV and Disability and impacting influence of poverty. With this reference, data on persons with disability from three VCT centers1 was collected and focus group discussion with inputs from experts as key informants has been employed. The findings gathered from the above methods were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The findings of the study indicate that the average prevalence of HIV among PWDs in Addis Ababa is about 4.3% which is a little bit less from Addis Ababa’s average (4.5%). This figure indicates the picture which is quite different from the rural areas, where PWDs have less exposure to education and HIV awareness.