Assessment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Vulnerability Index and Its Effect on Labour Productivity of Rural Farmers in Cross River State, Nigeria

The research assessed the HIV/AIDS vulnerability index effects on rural labour productivity of agricultural communities in Cross River State. Using multistage random sampling techniques on infected and non-infected farm households, 308 respondents were sampled and structured questionnaires were administered by trained enumerators with adequate experience in the state. Data were analysed using the fussy set approach to health risk vulnerability, descriptive and correlation analysis to determine vulnerability index, productive labour force and relationship between vulnerability index and productivity of both infected and non-infected rural farmers. The average labour force (18 years and above) for infected households was approximately 3 persons per household as against 4 persons for non-infected farm households. The mean labour productivity for infected farmers was 6715 ton/man day while, the non-infected farmer was 8285 ton/man day, where the difference in productivity was significant. A vulnerability index of 16% was established and the indicators that contributed significantly were; care not to take unscreened blood, care not to touch blood of others, having sex indiscriminately, sharing clipper, reduction in savings, and reduction in number of working hours. Furthermore, 43.97% of infected households and 20.40% of the pooled farmers were found to be highly vulnerable. Also an inverse relationship between labour productivity and vulnerability index was established and data were statistically significant. The researcher recommends special inputs subsidy programme for infected farmers, institutionalization of the HIV/AIDS (public health) desk in the State and federal Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development.