Being your brother and sister’s keeper: Preventing HIV and AIDS for people with disabilities

| November 25, 2022

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HIV and AIDS is a growing problem among people with disabilities. Research indicates that people with disabilities are at equal or greater risk of HIV infection than non-disabled people. People with disabilities are highly vulnerable to sexual violence, and lack access to information, prevention, or treatment and care. Women, adolescents living with disabilities, rural people, women in institutions, and those living in poor urban areas are also at a greater risk of contracting HIV.

Because of the absence of good policies and programs, most people living with disabilities are unaware of how to care for and protect themselves. Many also lack self-esteem, and feel they have no hope of getting married. Consequently, they do not see the need to be tested for HIV or get information about it. Many people living with disabilities are desperate and feel they don’t have a choice when it comes to sex, believing that they must take advantage of any opportunity for it, rather than feeling confident to make good choices. There is also a need to sensitize the broader community about disabilities, as most African countries have poor understanding of disabilities.

This script highlights the role of the broader community and of educational institutions in helping people living with disabilities to access information on HIV and AIDS and protect each other from abuse. It also encourages people with disabilities to take part fully in the fight against HIV.

HIV and AIDS is a growing problem among people with disabilities. Research indicates that people with disabilities are at equal or greater risk of HIV infection than non-disabled people. People with disabilities are highly vulnerable to sexual violence, and lack access to information, prevention, or treatment and care. Women, adolescents living with disabilities, rural people, women in institutions, and those living in poor urban areas are also at a greater risk of contracting HIV.

Because of the absence of good policies and programs, most people living with disabilities are unaware of how to care for and protect themselves. Many also lack self-esteem, and feel they have no hope of getting married. Consequently, they do not see the need to be tested for HIV or get information about it. Many people living with disabilities are desperate and feel they don’t have a choice when it comes to sex, believing that they must take advantage of any opportunity for it, rather than feeling confident to make good choices. There is also a need to sensitize the broader community about disabilities, as most African countries have poor understanding of disabilities.

This script highlights the role of the broader community and of educational institutions in helping people living with disabilities to access information on HIV and AIDS and protect each other from abuse. It also encourages people with disabilities to take part fully in the fight against HIV.

https://scripts.farmradio.fm/radio-resource-packs/104-post-harvest-cow-pea/brother-sisters-keeper-preventing-hiv-aids-people-disabilities/