Abstract

Food insecurity and HIV/AIDS are two of the causes of mortality in Africa. Nevertheless, few studies have focused on the effect of HIV/AIDS upon food insecurity of rural households in Africa. In this study we analyzed the effect of food insecurity and welfare of farmers on the spread of HIV/AIDS. Structured questionnaires were employed for data collection from 120 farmers selected randomly from five communities. These farmers were part of continuing HIV/AIDS management of persons living with HIV/AIDS and receiving HIV antiretroviral therapy at Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. CD4 counts were analyzed at three months intervals for each farmer after initiating HIV antiretroviral therapy. All participants had increase of CD4 count, at least 36%, after they had been on treatment for three months; the latest increase being 36.2%. Three of the participants had increases above 45% while six of them had at least 50% increases. The highest percentage increase of 171% was recorded by participants who had being on preparation for six months. This suggests that cumulative benefit continues after three months of therapy. This study provides some indications on the effect of food insecurity among rural communities in Oyo state Nigeria and suggests points of intervention.

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