Trends in HIV/AIDS prevention, family planning, and antenatal care in Nigeria

One such project was the threeyear USAID-funded VISION Project that sought to increase knowledge of, demand for and utilization of family planning and reproductive health services through behavior change communication activities and social mobilization efforts. This article examines trends in HIV/AIDS prevention, family planning, and ante/postnatal care indicators targeted by the VISION Project in 15 LGAs in Bauchi, Enugu and Oyo states. Using logistic regression analysis, trends in HIV/AIDS information, HIV/AIDS risk factors, condom access and use; family planning knowledge, attitudes and use; and levels and type of antenatal care were examined. Results indicate that significant improvements were made among indicators in all three program components (e.g., HIV/AIDS, family planning, and ante/postnatal care). For HIV/AIDS, there was a significant increase in exposure to HIV/AIDS information, in particular through radio, and an increase in knowledge on how to prevent HIV/AIDS, both of which were key components of VISION Project activities. Knowledge of family planning methods also increased significantly during the course of the VISION Project. While levels of antenatal care were already high at the start of the VISION Project, notable improvements were observed in the number of procedures and tests conducted during antenatal care visits, suggesting an improvement in the quality of antenatal care. Findings from this study, therefore, suggest significant improvements in select HIV/AIDS, family planning and ante/postnatal care indicators in the 15 LGAs during the course of the VISION Project. (Author abstract)