EXPLORING THE INTERSECTION BETWEEN UNFRIENDLY GOVERNMENT POLICY AND EXPOSURE OF YOUTHS TO HIV/AIDS IN OWERRI, NIGERIA.

The study explored the intersection between unfriendly government policy and exposure of youths to HIV/AIDS in Owerri, Nigeria. The government of Imo State (One of the 36 States in Nigeria, with Capital in Owerri) through the “Clean and Green” programme of the Environment and Transformation Commission (ENTRACO) demolished several makeshift apartments, styled ‘illegal structures’ where scores of private low-income earners practiced their craft vocation. Also affected were permanent buildings located close to main roads. More so, ban was placed on commercial motorcycle riding. These compounded the unemployment saga in the State as there is absence of industries and other significant job creating opportunities. The political economy theory is used as a conceptual framework. Questionnaire was administered on 30 persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), 2 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were held with commercial sex workers and in-depth interviews (IDIs) held with 5 health-care service providers in Owerri. Expected outcomes include a possible moonlighting, that exposes the female youth to HIV/AIDS. Lack of gainful employment; lack of financial assistance from kinsfolks and peer influence expose the women to HIV/AIDS. Access to cheap sex might be significant in the exposure of the males, who sometimes serve as bridge group, to HIV/AIDS.