Authors: Olabimpe Gbadeyan1, Ebenezer Obi Daniel2, Adeola John Gbadeyan3, Oladele Abidoye3, Favour Okorie4, Joseph Clark3, Ahmed Mamuda Bello1, Michael Avwerhota5, Christiana Asibi-Ogben Inegbeboh1, Israel Olukayode Popoola6, Michael Olabode Tomori1, Adebanke Adetutu Ogun7, Oladapo Michael Olagbegi8
1Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana
2World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Emergency Preparedness and Response Cluster, Brazzaville,
Congo
3Department of Public Healthcare, Citizen Hospital, Suleja, Nigeria
4Department of Criminology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo, Nigeria
5Department of Public Health, Atlantic International University, Hawaii, United States of American
6Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
7International Organization for Migration, Abuja, Nigeria
8South African National Bioinformatics Institute, University of the Western Cape, Western Cape, South Africa
Abstract
Introduction: On 1st December 2021, the Director General WHO during the world AIDS‟s day opening remark stated that, “the global HIV epidemic has fainted from the headlines, but it is not over, far from it”. Nigeria is among the countries that have the highest HIV infection burden, and more HIV babies than anywhere in the world. Objective: The study was embarked upon to understand the perception of the HIV service providers who are in the frontline, on the difficulties being encountered in the course of duty. Method: Qualitative Data was obtained from selected HIV service providers, who were rich in experience across the state, through in-depth interviews (IDI), focus group discussions (FGD), and a non-participant observation with checklist. Saturation was reached, coding was done manually and automatic with NVivo 14, and thematic analytic method used to get a good induction from the data. Results: Among the difficulties being encountered by the HIV service providers from the study were burnt out, staff shortage, training deficiency, secondary stigmatization, and poor remuneration; similarly, lack of incentives, inability to follow-up, language, and religion barriers. Insecurity, the diminished awareness on HIV prevention, frequent change of implementing partners and lack of political will by policy makers were other identified challenges of the HIV services in the state. Conclusion: All relevant stakeholders need to work together towards reducing the difficulties highlighted by the providers toward the HIV eradication strategy. Government should take full possession and ownership of HIV management in Niger state, and the country.
