Abstract:
Assessment of spatial patterns, distribution, provision of HIV and AIDS campaign health centers services and evaluation of HIV and AIDS health workers has been neglected. This research analyzes the availability and accessibility of HIV and AIDS campaign health facilities across Obio-Apor local government area. Spatial coordinates of the HIV and AIDS health facilities were analyzed, using GIS to produce spatial distribution map of the HIV and AIDS health centers. The spatial pattern of HIV and AIDS health centers distribution were examined using Average nearest neighbor. A survey was done to evaluate the HIV and AIDS health workers. Euclidean distance was computed to identify areas with high access to the HACHC as well as areas with the least access to HACHC. In addition, intersect a geo-processing tool was computed to propose suitable sites for new HACHCs for areas with the least accessibility. The findings clearly indicate that the spatial distribution pattern of the HACHC was considerably dispersed (p value < 0.001) with Z-score of 3.09. The survey revealed that the HACHCs are relevant and functional with accepted mean of 3.53 and 3.64 respectively based on the analytical tool. And it also revealed the challenges faced by these HACHCs (epileptic power supply, inadequate drugs among others) which need to be rectify so as to achieve the zero case campaign. The study also showed that there is a considerable variation in the average distance from the HACHC to the towns in Obio-Akpor LGA. Substantially, 64.8% of the towns in the LGA, have access to the HACHC within less than 1km distance. In contrast, the towns located at distance from 5kms and above are 17.0%. People living within such distance travel long distance to get HIV/AIDS health services, based on that proposed site were mapped for new HACHCs to care for towns with least/ poor access to existing HACHCs. The output of this analysis can assist policy-makers and authorities of the LGA as well as states authorities, in planning HIV/AIDS health delivery services.
