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Presented by Dr. (Mrs.) Dora Ofobrukweta

Presented by Dr. (Mrs.) Dora Ofobrukweta. PRISONERS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS: CHALLENGES FOR TREATMENT, CARE AND SUPPORT IN IKOYI PRISON LAGOS, NIGERIA. At a 3rd Africa Conference on Sexual Health and Rights Sexuality, Poverty and Accountability in Africa, Abuja. 4th - 7th February 2008.

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Presented by Dr. (Mrs.) Dora Ofobrukweta

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  1. Presented byDr. (Mrs.) Dora Ofobrukweta PRISONERS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS: CHALLENGES FOR TREATMENT, CARE AND SUPPORT IN IKOYI PRISON LAGOS, NIGERIA At a3rd Africa Conference on Sexual Health and Rights Sexuality, Poverty and Accountability in Africa, Abuja. 4th - 7th February 2008

  2. BACKGROUND Persons Living With HIV/AIDS are not found only outside but ‘within the walls of the prisons. In many countries HIV prevalence rates in prison are often higher than those found in communities. Out of the one hundred(100) inmates tested for HIV by LLO in 2006 FOUR(4%) were positive. This finding motivated LLO to start a support group programme with the PLWHA. A support group made up of seventeen(17) PLWHA has been constituted.

  3. ISSUES • Prisoners tested positive were confronted on how to manage their HIV positive status within the prison confinement. • Availability and accessibility to ARV drugs and treatment centres outside the Prison became a problem since there are no functioning treatment centres within the Prisons.

  4. Nutritional food supplement and availability of Palliative drugs for the PLWHA • Diagnostic facilities and Logistics in terms of transportation to centres to access treatments. • Emotional support to cope and live positively with the Virus

  5. METHOD • ADVOCACY : Advocacy meeting with stakeholders (CGP, ACG Zone ‘A’, Governors of Prisons, Medical and Social Welfare Officers). The Purpose was to intimate them about the need to start a support group for the PLWHA. • FOCUS GROUP DISSUSION : Focus group meetings were held with the identified PLWHA. The purpose of this was to identify their needs.

  6. LLO staff with the Controller General of Prisons during a Advocacy /courtesy visit

  7. The controller of prison Lagos state and other dignitaries during the workshop in Lagos state

  8. ACTIVITES • Inauguration of support group: This is to provide emotional support and also for the purpose of sharing information on positive living • Support group meeting: The support group meetings is held bi-monthly to provide emotional support and address other needs of the PLWHA • Provision of Nutritional food supplement and palliative drugs: Nutritional food supplement and Palliative drugs were provided as poor nutrition affect the health of PLWHA. • Monitoring and Evaluation: Weekly project meetings are held and monthly monitoring visits are made to the prisons.

  9. Materials distributed during support group meeting

  10. Installation of Insecticide treated Mosquito Nets: Insecticide treated Mosquito Nets were installed in the Clinics to prevent and Control malaria. • Logistic Support to Treatment Centres: Logistic support were provided (inform of cash on monthly basis) to the PLWHA to access treatment centres.

  11. FINDINGS The support group provided support to the PLWHA. This motivated most of them to discuss their various experiences especially regarding their feelings.

  12. CHALLENGES • Insufficient food to march the ARV drugs they take on a daily basis. This is one of the most common complain raised by prisoners • Irregular supply of ARV. • Stigma and discrimination • lack of recreational facilities were also some obvious challenges especially with an environment that is highly congested.

  13. The fear of re-entering society • Lack of privacy and confidentiality • Limited resources and problem with ensuring the crucially important level of adherence to treatment programme is a major challenge in treating HIV in the prison

  14. RECOMMENDATION • Provision of appropriate and professional HIV/AIDS care, treatment and support equivalent to that available in the outside community including access to centre in the prison community will go a long way in alleviating the challenges of prisoners living with HIV/AIDS • Comprehensive treatment centres with diagnostic facilities should be established in the Prison community.

  15. Political leadership, legislative and policy reforms should be implemented with adequate support from the National and International communities in Prison HIV/AIDS. • Proper nutrition and vitamins may postpone the development of HIV and AIDS. • Early release of prisoner living with HIV will help in alleviating some emotional pains

  16. A collaborative effort between the Health ministry and the prisons will lessen the burden of managing the disease. • Adequate resources should be made available for prison HIV/AIDS programming in Africa especially. Conclusion: Addressing the issues of HIV/AIDS in the prison will reduce HIV prevalence rate in the society at large because on discharge they come back to the society they left behind.

  17. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The co-presenters: Dr. Regina C. Akpan, George Ini Iwoh Life Link Organisation The Ford Foundation The Nigerian Prison Service The Trained Peer Educators

  18. Thank you

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