Information needs of people living with HIV/AIDS in Kano State, Northern Nigeria

Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a disease that has social, economic, and political implications in Nigeria. It affects young people who are at their most productive age, thereby affecting the economic productivity of the nation. In order to achieve the objective of reducing the epidemic, the information vacuum about the disease that exists among PLWHA needs to be investigated and subsequently bridged. Survey research method was used to undertake this study and a self-administered questionnaire was used for collecting data. The study showed that the PLWHA share different type of information which include health information and social information using various methods such as journals, magazines, AIDS newsletters and the internet, Physicians, friends, various agencies and groups helped to facilitate information sharing among the respondents. Lack of computer literacy and internet access were among the factors that militated against information sharing among the respondents. The PLWHA in Kano State should be encouraged to make a maximum utilization of pamphlets, AIDS newsletters, and the internet because these items contain vital information including recent and up to date knowledge on HIV/AIDS, and modalities for its treatment and control.