SITUATION ANALYSIS ON HIV/AIDS AND DISABILITY
Disabled persons experience a double burden in relation to HIV/AIDS, namely increased risk of infection and reduced access to prevention, treatment and care services. Undoubtedly HIV and AIDS have had a significant impact on population growth. A global mail survey on HIV/AIDS and disability, conducted by the World Bank and Yale University in April 2004, found that: HIV/AIDS is a significant and almost wholly unrecognized problem among disabled populations worldwide.
Currently, very little is known about HIV/AIDS and disability. HIV/AIDS educational, testing and clinical programs are largely inaccessible to individuals with disability. Disabled people can and should be included in all HIV/AIDS outreach and service efforts. Due to the existing lack of information and high relevance to the HIV/AIDS response in Sub-Saharan Africa, it was deemed necessary to conduct situation analysis on disability and HIV/AIDS in the Kingdom of Lesotho. Evidence suggests that in developing countries poverty and a lack of economic and educational opportunities, as often experienced by people with disabilities (PWDs), influence HIV/AIDS vulnerability.
This study therefore serves to highlight the extent to which gaps exist between HIV/AIDS and disability services, in the Kingdom of Lesotho. The purpose of the study was to: Identify existing research on HIV/AIDS and disability; Identify and map the key stakeholders in the HIV/AIDS and/or disability communities within the country; Identify key policies, strategies, programs and projects concerned with HIV/AIDS and/or disability; Identify existing resources on HIV available and accessible to persons with different disabilities. Determine the major risk factors for increased or decreased risk of HIV/AIDS in people with disabilities; Survey the knowledge and attitudes among people with disabilities and their relatives, government authorities and civil society within the country on the links between HIV/AIDS and disability.