Going by the 2007 National HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey Plus (NARHS +), which was the first population-based HIV sero-prevalence survey in Nigeria, increasing access to anti-retroviral drugs (ARTs) and establishment of a support group for HIV- positive people are critical in the nation’s fight against the dreaded disease.
Speaking at a media roundtable organised by Journalists against Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (JAAIDS) recently, Bashorun Ade, of the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja noted that the biennial NARHS+ survey - conducted by the Federal Ministry of Health, Society for Family health (SHF) and other partners - considered samplings from eligible respondents across the Federation aged 16 to 64 for males and 15 to 49 for females.
The survey, which covered areas like awareness of HIV/AIDS and other STDs, knowledge of preventive methods and symptoms, HIV voluntary counselling and testing, and discrimination against Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), showed the overall HIV prevalence rate to be 3.6 percent (5.04 million Nigerians) - with females, 4.0 percent and males, 3.2 percent.
“Key findings in the survey showed that urban areas had a HIV/AIDS prevalence of 3.8 percent, compared with the rural areas which had 3.5 percent. The North Central zone had a prevalence rate of 5.7 percent and lowest in the South East, 2.6 percent. The highest prevalence of 5.4 percent was observed among the 30-39 year bracket - with males 5.4 percent and females, 5.7 percent. Also, females who were never married and had sex in the preceding 12 months appear to have a higher HIV prevalence (5.8 percent) than their male counterparts (2.3 percent),”Ade disclosed.
Commenting on the survey, Jennifer Anyanti of the Society for Family Health, Abuja, explained that the 2007 NARHS+ survey is aimed at identifying the scale of the problem and associated factors. She posited that reducing discrimination is crucial to prevention and proper treatment.
However, key interventions for stigma reduction, she noted, include the education of the general population and health workers: “The implications of the 2007 NARHS+ shows that the integration of HIV/AIDS education into major life activities is essential to ensure that knowledge is widespread. Also, the Family Life and HIV/AIDS education curriculum should be implemented and rapidly scaled up so that the required knowledge about HIV and AIDS is widespread,” Anyanti advised.
To Ladipupo Fisher of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), activities should be geared towards setting up more HIV counselling and testing (HCT) centres that extend to the rural areas.
Fisher noted that there should be publications on where to get an HIV test in the print and electronic media and posters by governments at all levels, as the importance of HCT centres is to encourage regular HIV screening.
“In Lagos State, there are currently 29 Preventing Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) sites for pregnant mothers to access care. Also, there are 21 ART sites, and such drugs are provided free at all government hospitals in the state,” Fisher announced.
Meanwhile, it is imperative that everyone contributes his/her quota towards ensuring that the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the country is checked. Behavioural change interventions, among other things, need to be substantially stepped up, especially in relation to the youths.