HIV and disability: a Jairos Jiri perspective

By Grace Kamanga, Jairos Jiri Association

18. november 2004

HIV / AIDS has had many negative impacts in the health, social and economic status and prospects of everyone including those people living with disabilities. Although the government has initiated major interventions with the support of local and international NGO’s the rate of infection has risen to about 1 adult in every 3. This means that about a third of the population is infected and living with the virus. Prospects of further increase in prevalence are indicated both in national and global investigations. Zimbabwe is thereby among the worst inflicted countries worldwide.

Of concern to Jairos Jiri association is the fact that most of the HIV and AIDS programmes being implemented in the country do not target people living with disabilities. According to the 1999 census people living with disabilities constitute 5% of the total population. A recent study (2003) conducted by the Zimbabwe Parents of the Handicapped Children Association (ZPHCA) and international co-operation for development (ICD) revealed that most people living with disabilities are more vulnerable to infections because of their disability. The study also found that people with disabilities are not targeted by most programmes they have limited access to information and services and voluntary counseling and testing and that they face double stigmatization and discrimination because of their HIV status and disability. The study concluded that people with disabilities were at a higher risk of infection due to their exclusion from mainstream inventions.

It is against this background that in the year 2002 the Jairos Jiri association started an HIV and AIDS awareness programme targeted at our clients at institutions and those in the community-based rehabilitation (CBR) areas of operation. Since then the CBR field staff community leaders, ward, and district committees have received training so that they can be effective in our HIV AIDS education and awareness efforts. An adult peer education and awareness programme targeting mainly women living with disabilities although men have also very much been involved is also being spearheaded.
Awareness meetings where important topics which include reproduction disease transmission, disease prevention, how to live positively with HIV/AIDS, nutrition the importance of knowing your health and HIV status available support sources such as the National Aids Council, Matebeleland aids council and others are discussed. Qualified and well-informed persons facilitate at these clubs and groups meetings. The programmes will continue for as long as funding is available in an endeavor to empower people living with disabilities and create awareness among them about the dangers of HIV/AIDS from which so many of them have died in ignorance.