Abstract: The socio-economic characteristics of farmers, awareness of HIV/AIDS and its effect on farming in Michika Local Government area were investigated. Hundred farmers were sampled using structured questionnaires. Statistical tool employed are percentages, frequency distribution and correlation analysis. The study indicated that to a large extent farmers in the study area are youths (26 and 45 years) and are mostly of the male sex. The evaluation reported high agricultural activities in the study area. Contact with people (34%) and radio broadcast (27%) were identified as a major source of awareness on HIV/AIDS. Sexual intercourse and blood transfusion were identified as the commonest ways by which farmers contact the virus. Inadequate information about the virus and the low educational background of the farmers were identified as limitations to a reduction in the spread and management of the disease. Abstinence and increased awareness were identified as the best probable solutions to the spread of this disease. Death of farmers due to HIV/AIDS as recorded in the study may translate into labour loss. Recommendations from this evaluation will assist policy makers in reducing the spread of this virus.
INTRODUCTION
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a disease that feeds on weakened immune system. It has emerged as the single greatest threat to human survival and socioeconomic developments in many countries of the world. AIDS affects individuals in their most productive years with majority of the infections occurring in people between the ages of 20 and 40 years (Elizabeth, 2000). The first case of AIDS in Nigeria was reported in the year 1986 (Federal Ministry of Health, 2003). The Federal Ministry of Heath reported that between 2.2 and 3.8 million Nigerians are carrying the virus in 2002 (Federal Ministry of Health, 2003).
Mutungadara (2000) had noted that the spread of HIV/AIDS among citizens with primary school leaving certificate was about 5.6% and those with secondary school certificate was 5.4%. It was found to be higher (4.0%) among those in tertiary educational qualification. In the North West, North Central and North Eastern states of Nigeria, the spread of HIV/AIDS was reported to be higher in women who had received blood transfusion (Sentinel survey, 2002). The National Action Committee on AIDS (2000) reported that in the year 1991, an estimated 850,000 Nigerians had died from AIDS and over the next ten years, an estimated 3.3 million Nigerians will die of the disease. The United Nation Reference Group (2003) had noted that, there was no state or country that is unaffected with HIV/AIDS.
HIV/AIDS has a significant implication for the sustainability of agricultural and rural livelihood, death of productive persons and loss of time as family members take time off farm activities to look after for the sick, or mourn the dead as the case may be. Also, Elizabeth (2002) had pointed out that the commercial agricultural sector was facing a severe social and economic crisis caused by HIV/AIDS. The loss of skilled and experienced labour to the epidemic is a serious concern. Mutungadara and Makwazata (1999) had noted that the household with carriers have fewer work forces, cultivate less land, own fewer cattle and cash crop. In the same vein Spore (1999) reported that HIV/AIDS had reduced the number of household members available to cultivate the land. Edwards (2000) acknowledged that HIV/AIDS endemic is a development crises in Nigeria and will be the most significant problem facing countries over the next ten years.
The agricultural and rural development sectors are affected by HIV/AIDS scourge in many ways as limiting availability of labour and form productivity. Due to a rapid spread of this disease, the transmission of agricultural information from the extension agent to the farmers and from the farmer to farmer will be jeopardized. This may manifest as a decline of agricultural production, non availability of farm labour and gradual fading out of the farming business. In the time past, it was widely believed that HIV/AIDS is a disease of the Europeans and of the rich in the society. Ignorance, illiteracy and inadequate awareness of the disease had encourage its spread among the populace. An assessment of the impact of HIV/AIDS on farmers in Michika local government area is yet to be determined. An accomplishment of this will be vital in expanding knowledge about the virus, analysis of situations and formulation of plan to reduce, manage and prevent further spread of the virus among the farmers in the study area.
The objectives of this study are to evaluate the socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers in Michika local government area and to determine the level awareness of HIV/AIDS and analyze threat of HIV/AIDS to crop production.
The hypotheses of present study are there is no relationship between the level of awareness and socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers (Age, sex, marital status, educational qualification) and there is no relationship between the socioeconomic characteristics and awareness of HIV/AIDS.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study was carried out at Michika Local Government area, located in the Northern part of Adamawa State Nigeria in 2004. Michika covers 1421.99 km2, with a population of 117, 684. The study area is largely populated by the Higgi, Marggi and Hausa ethnic groups. Rainfall in this area commences in the month of May and terminated in the month of September. Variation in rainfall pattern of this area may be attributed to topography and vegetation. Agriculture is the predominant occupation in this area, as farmers cultivate millet, groundnut, sorghum, maize, sweet potatoes, with few farmers involved in dry season farming.
Both primary and secondary data were used in this study. The primary source of data is the farmers in the study area. While the secondary data source are reported cases of HIV/AIDS, which are available at various general hospitals in the state and reported cases from individuals. The population used for this research are contact farmers and farm families in the study area. Michika local government area comprised of sixteen wards, out of which four wards were randomly selected for the study, these are Michika 1, Michika 2, Tumbaragali and Moda/Diaka ward.
One hundred questionnaires were randomly administered to the farmers, which were distributed according to the population density in each ward. In Michika 1 and Michika 2, thirty questionnaires were administered in each ward. While in Tumbaragali and Moda/Diaka wards twenty questionnaires were administered. Data collected were summarized and analysed using descriptive statistics as frequency distribution and percentages. Correlation analysis between socioeconomic characters and awareness of HIV/AIDS was done using statistical analysis of SAS (1997) Institute.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The age distribution of the respondents clearly indicates that 47% of the respondents fall within the age bracket 26-35 years. While 25% are within the age 35-45 years (Table 1) and 17% of the respondents are in the age group 15-and 25 years. This could be explained as the dominance of youths (15-35 years) in the study area. To a reasonable extent 31% of the respondents are single, while 45% are married. Respondents with more than one wife summarized 36% of the respondents. Within the married group, 59% have less than two children. The study indicated that 26% representing 25 respondents had formal education up to secondary level, while respondents with Diploma certificate accounted for 57%. Farming is the most common occupation among the respondents interviewed (Table 1). While other occupations as tailoring, fishing and hunting are less prominent in the study area.
A survey on the sources of information as to the awareness of HIV/AIDS in the
study area revealed that respondents that were informed about HIV/AIDS through
friends accounted for 34%. While 27% of the respondents indicated that they
were informed through the radio, 19 and 15% were informed through the Television
and the Village Extension Agent respectively. This trend may be associated to
the poor reception of both radio and television broadcast from the state capital
(Yola). The respondents indicated that sexual intercourse and blood transfusion
are most common ways of contacting the virus in the communities (Table
2). However, the use of unsterilized sharp objects and mother to child transmission
were least observed as a transmissible channels of the virus. The study revealed
that religion and cultural belief highly influences the attitude of the farmers
to HIV/AIDS.
| Table 1: | Socio-economic characters of farmers in Michika local government area |
| Table 2: | Information on sources of contacts and reduction to HIV/AIDS scourge |
THREATS TO AGRICULTURE
This survey indicated that respondents within the age bracket 21-40 years had contacted HIV/AIDS. However, this age group represents the active labour force available for farm activities. Since most of the farm activities are not into mechanized agriculture, implications of HIV/AIDS may manifest as non availability of farm labour, poor food supply and food insecurity in the short run. The number of deaths attributed to HIV/AIDS in the study area showed that death of between 1 and 6 farmers was in large proportion as compared with death occurring between 7 and 12 farmers. The study revealed that victims of HIV/AIDS in the study area are into mixed farming. The implication of this is that in the short run food production will be hampered.
Inadequate information about HIV/AIDS was identified as the major factor limiting
adequate control HIV/AIDS scourge among the rural farmers interviewed. In addition,
low educational background and cultural belief have influenced rapidly the spread
of the disease in a positive way. The farmers in the study area resolved that
abstinence, increased awareness through campaign on HIV/AIDS are important and
as well a quick strategies to reducing the scourge of HIV/AIDS in the communities
(Table 2).
| Table 3: | Correlation coefficient between socioeconomic characteristics and level of awareness of HIV/AIDS |
| *Significant, **Highly significant | |
The association analysis of socio-economic characters of the farmers and their awareness of HIV/AIDS in the study showed that a positive and statistically significant correlation coefficient was recorded between the awareness of HIV/AIDS and the age of the respondents (r = 0.55*), farming score (0.98**) (Table 3). The implication of this is that as the farmers appreciate in age, the farming score increases as well. Thus facilitating an increase awareness of HIV/AIDS. An increase awareness may stem further spread of the virus. Similarly a positive correlation coefficient in the association between the educational attainment and awareness of HIV/AIDS among the farmers showed that as the farmers becomes informed; there is every likelihood that the understanding of the disease will further reduce its spread.
The study indicated the preponderance HIV/AIDS among farmers in the study area. The consequences of this to agriculture and rural developmental are evinced in the study. Therefore increased enlightenment program and education may be adequate for reducing the spread among the farmers. Also policy makers may wish to employ channels used in dissemination of agricultural technology information to farmers to complement available channels. Also the Village Extension Agent should be made to convey information about the disease to their clientele.