Abstract: Persons with disabilities (PWDs) constitute about 15% of the world population and 5% of Cameroon population. Persons with physical disability have been identified as one of the vulnerable groups to HIV due to several challenges posed by their disability. They represent one of the largest and most underserved population, have an unmet needs for health including HIV services, and have historically been excluded from HIV planning and programming largely due to perceptions that they are not at risk. Further, there is scarcity of literature on HIV/AIDS relating to PWDs. Therefore, this study is aimed at investigating the perception of risk of contracting HIV among persons with physical disability in Cameroon. A qualitative study was conducted among ten persons with physical disability aged 18 years and above, selected purposively in Kumba (South West region of Cameroon), using in-depth interviews to collect data in April 2015. The participants perceived that persons with physical disability in Cameroon are at high risk of contracting HIV, because of poverty, sexual risk behaviours, low literacy levels and low likelihood or lack of marriage (singlehood). Policy-makers should provide subsidies for commodities with respect to persons with disabilities, empower them economically, and implement tight legislation against gender-based violence and rape towards people with disabilities. Special programmes targeting HIV prevention and treatment amongst this group is of utmost importance. Collaboration with the Cameroon Ministries of Social Affairs to better address their neglected social and economic needs is compelling.Abstract: Persons with disabilities (PWDs) constitute about 15% of the world population and 5% of Cameroon population. Persons with physical disability have been identified as one of the vulnerable groups to HIV due to several challenges posed by their disability. They represent one of the largest and most underserved population, have an unmet needs for heal...Show More
Abstract: In Kumba, Cameroon, health education messages apparently succeeded in imparting knowledge but not in changing youths’ risky sexual behaviours. Heterosexual transmission of HIV remains a challenge, especially where female adolescents and young women are not able to negotiate safe sexual practices. The purpose of this study was to examine adolescents and young women’s perceived reasons for the continued HIV/AIDS prevalence in the city of Kumba of the South West region of Cameroon. This region has an HIV/AIDS prevalence of 5.7%, which is above the Cameroon national prevalence of 4.3%. A qualitative research design was adopted, using semi-structured in-depth interviews, conducted with a purposive sample of ten (10) female adolescents and young women, to deliberate on their perceived reasons for the continued spread of HIV/AIDS in Kumba, Cameroon, despite availability of information on the prevention of HIV/AIDS. The participating female adolescents and young women perceived that there is a continued spread of HIV/AIDS in Kumba, Cameroon because of multiple sexual partners and unprotected sexual intercourse, especially among female adolescents, due to poverty; disbelief in the existence of HIV/AIDS and neglect of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services. Consequently, health education messages provided knowledge, but did not result in preventive behaviours. Ways should be found for health education messages to result in appropriate actions based on appropriate knowledge. Female adolescents need to be economically empowered and financially independent before they can practice safer sexual intercourse.Abstract: In Kumba, Cameroon, health education messages apparently succeeded in imparting knowledge but not in changing youths’ risky sexual behaviours. Heterosexual transmission of HIV remains a challenge, especially where female adolescents and young women are not able to negotiate safe sexual practices. The purpose of this study was to examine adolescents...Show More
