Enwereji E.E, Ndu-Agomuo Lois I, Policies and the Property Inheritance Rights: the Case of HIV Positive Women in Abia State, Nigeria., International Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Volume 1, Issue 3, 2026, Pages 22-34, ISSN 2994-6743, https://doi.org/10.14302/issn.2994-6743.ijstd-26-6333.
(https://openaccesspub.org/international-journal-of-sexually-transmitted-diseases/article/policies-and-the-property-inheritance-rights-the-case-of-hiv-positive-women-in-abia-state-nigeria-2406)
Abstract: Introduction: There are statutory laws, cultures, traditions and policies in Nigeria especially in Abia State, that govern women’s right to inherit properties in their names. The problem is that society enforces these policies that forbid women’s inheritance rights including those HIV positive. Study aimed to examine the extent to which policies and traditions that negatively influence HIV positive women’s rights to inherit family resources could be modified to encourage their sustenance. It also aimed to assess views of traditional rulers, as custodians of culture, on how to change inheritance rights of HIV positive women especially those widowed, so as to favour their economic security. Materials and Method: Study was a mixed design that utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods. The sample consisted of all the 98 HIV positive women who are members of the network of people living positively with HIV and AIDS. Data collection instruments were questionnaire, focus group discussions and interview guides which were administered. Key informant interviews were conducted with five traditional rulers in charge of five randomly selected communities where the respondents came from. This was done to authenticate respondents’ responses. Data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Result: About 85 of 98 (86.7%) of respondents were denied rights to family resources. As high as 77 of 98 (78.6%) of women were aware of risks of unprotected sex, yet 54 of 98 (55%) of them practiced it. Common reasons proffered for taking the sexual risks were financial gains and sex partners’ dislike for condom use. Conclusion: The proportion of respondents who practised unprotected sex due to economic insecurity, suggests increase in HIV prevalence. If this risky sexual behaviour continues, government‘s efforts to reduce HIV prevalence would yield little or no significant result.
Keywords: inheritance rights; HIV and AIDS; unprotected sex; policies; Nigeria