Changing patterns of intergenerational support at old age and HIV/AIDs incidence in Nigeria

Elias O. Wahab, Lagos State University

The HIV epidemic continues to spread at an alarming rate with over 14,000 new infections per day, while the epidemic is now spreading rapidly in some parts of Asia, Latin America and Caribbean. Sub-Saharan Africa continues to bear the greatest burden of the disease. This paper aims to examine the interface between the incidence of HIV/AIDs and changing patterns of intergenerational support among the Elderly. Data was collected through individual-based questionnaire and multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 810 elderly persons. Chi-square and logistic regression were used to determine the effect of the explanatory factors on intergenerational support. Data revealed that about 15 % respondents have lost their children to HIV/AIDs and that these respondents had expected their deceased children to be their source of old age support. Instead, the elderly persons are caring for the off springs of their deceased children. This further jeopardised the welfare of the elderly. The study concludes that efforts at taming the virus should be localised and certain cultural beliefs need to be re-visited. The need for government to formulate old people welfare policy was recommended. Key words: Intergenerational support, Elderly, HI/AID’s, Nigeria