PLAN Health Advocacy and Development Foundation (PLAN Foundation) collaborated with the Oyo State Agency for Persons with Disabilities (OYSAPD) to organize a rapid assessment among persons with disabilities, persons with HIV, adherence counselors, and other healthcare workers in HIV treatment centres in Oyo State. Using tools selected from the “Tools Together Now!” publication of Frontline AIDS, the assessment aimed to examine issues of stigma and discrimination faced by persons with disabilities in antiretroviral treatment centres in the state. The exercise was held on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at the Conference Room of the Oyo State Agency for Persons with Disabilities (OYSAPD), Secretariat, Ibadan.

Participants in the rapid survey reported frequent cases of HIV-related stigma against persons with disabilities attending HIV treatment facilities in Oyo State. This stigma comes not only from healthcare workers but also from other ARV treatment clients without disabilities. Additionally, persons with disabilities acknowledged a high degree of silence and non-disclosure about being HIV-positive among their peers due to the fear of ostracism.

Participants at the assessment also expressed that inadequate access to information about HIV among persons with disabilities is a major contributory factor to the culture of silence surrounding HIV in this group. The lack of information materials tailored to the specific needs of persons with disabilities exacerbates this issue, leading to double rejection for HIV-positive individuals—both within PLHIV support groups and disability groups.

Participants at the assessment session also attributed the higher degree of stigma and discrimination experienced by persons with disabilities in ARV treatment facilities to the lack of pre-service and in-service training for healthcare workers on the intersections of disabilities and vulnerability to HIV infection. This gap affects those providing HIV prevention, treatment, and care services.

Participants in the rapid assessment exercise were also organized into a WhatsApp group to share relevant sections of this proposal for feedback and validation. It is planned that these participants will play an active role in implementing the project if PLAN Foundation’s proposal to ViiV Healthcare is successful.

Key informant interviews were also conducted with two representatives of the leadership of the Oyo State Chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) to gather further insights into the experiences of persons with disabilities accessing antiretroviral services in the state. The respondents suggested that HIV knowledge and information should be integrated into all health interventions targeting persons with disabilities. They emphasized the need for innovative strategies to provide information in accessible formats on HIV prevention, treatment, and positive living for persons with disabilities who are HIV-positive.