Features Dec 7 , 2010 – Dr. Agbara The  Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), committed AU governments, of which Nigeria is a key player, to reducing child mortality, improving maternal health and combating major diseases such as HIV/AIDS. To help achieve this, the Abuja Declaration of 2001 made AU states promise to commit at least 15 percent of their annual budgets to healthcare. The vast majority, regrettably among them Nigeria, have failed to do so, and in March 2010 some members proposed dropping the 15 percent commitment. Although the proposal was defeated in Kampala in July, however, the fact that it is even being discussed shows how commitment has wavered.  Every day across Africa, thousands die from preventable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, maternal mortality, privatisation, cuts in public spending and rise in user fees which indicates that the poor still struggle to access basic health services. As the world celebrates the World AIDS Day, with about five  years left on the MGD pledge, all hands are on deck to support governments meet their commitment. Enhancing Nigerian Capacity for AIDS Prevention ( ENCAP) is one of such efforts. In this interview, with Charles KUMOLU Dr. Victoria Agbara, Chief of Party, ENCAP Project, notes that there is need for rethinking on strategic approaches to HIV/AIDS. Excerpts WHAT is the current  statistics with respect to the prevalence of HIV/ AIDS globally? The recently released 2010 UNAIDS Global Report on the AIDS epidemic, indicates that after nearly 30 years of living with the epidemic, we are finally beginning to see a reversal in the spread. The report shows that an estimated 2.6 million people became newly infected with HIV, as opposed to 3.1 million in 1999. At the end of 2009 , 33.3 million people were estimated to be living with HIV, up slightly from 32.8 million in 2008. This is largely due to more people living longer as a result of increased access to antiretroviral therapy, For instance, in 2009 , 1.8 million people died from AIDS-related illnesses, nearly one-fifth lower than the 2.1 million who died in 2004. New data clearly indicates that HIV prevention and treatment efforts are working; the number of people newly infected with HIV is declining and AIDS-related deaths are decreasing. Globally, the number of new infections has fallen by 19 percent since the epidemic peaked in 1999. In 33 countries, HIV incidence has fallen by more than 25 percent. The biggest epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa (Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe) have stabilised or are beginning to decline. Among young people in the most severely affected countries HIV prevalence has fallen by more than 25 percent as a result of the adoption of safer sex practices. I must say however, that it is not all good news, a number of regions and countries do not fit the described trend. In seven countries, HIV incidence has actually increased by more than 25 percent between 2001 and 2009. This means we still have a lot of work to do to ensure the observed global reversal is maintained. What is the current  statistics with respect to the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria?

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/12/world-hiv-day-nigeria-makes-up-9-of-the-global-hiv-burden-dr-agbara/


Median National HIV prevalence is at 4.6 percent based on the findings of the 2008 ANC survey which is normally used to monitor HIV prevalence trends in the country. However, the 2007 National AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey ( NARHS) which is a population-based survey, estimates the National prevalence at 3.6 percent. Current estimates by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) indicate that by 2009 , 2.98 million people were living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. Despite the national prevalence of 4.6 percent, as many as 18 states actually have a prevalence rate that is higher than the national average. It is important to note that Nigeria, with about 2.98 million people living with HIV, makes up about nine percent of the global HIV burden.If we look at prevalence by age groups, you’ll find that the worst affected is the 25-29 years age group, prevalence for this group is 5.6 percent. The 2008 ANC survey reports over 300 ,000 new infections recorded and the results of a Modes of Transmission study conducted in 2008 indicate that over 40 percent of new HIV infections occur among couples, who at the time could be considered as engaging in ‘low-risk’ sex. Although Nigeria is one of the countries said to have a stabilised epidemic, the persistent high risk behaviour in spite of high level of awareness particularly among young people indicates that greater efforts are needed in order to reach the youth and young couples with effective prevention interventions to address their specific needs and stimulate the adoption of safer behaviours which would reduce the risk of HIV transmission. This is the only way we can ensure that the country does not slide back into a progressing epidemic. Is the level of funding for HIV/AIDS work in Nigeria better than what it used to be? Would you say given the picture of the prevalence you have just painted this funding is sufficient to meet the challenge

That is scary. Wrap it up, folks.

Abagworo:

The 2008  ANC survey reports over 300 ,000  new infections recorded and  the results of a Modes of Transmission study conducted in 2008  indicate that over 40  percent of new HIV infections occur among couples, who at the time could be considered as engaging in ‘low-risk’ sex. Although Nigeria is one of the countries said to have a stabilised  epidemic, the persistent high risk behaviour in spite of high level of  awareness particularly among young people indicates that greater  efforts are needed in order to reach the youth and young couples with  effective prevention interventions to address their specific needs and  stimulate the adoption of safer behaviours which would reduce the risk  of HIV transmission.

Even scarier 

From Southern Nigeria of course.
No morals.
Will bang anything that moves with all that polygamy crap.
Condoms melting away in their wallets, all for show.

Just imagine.

Polygamy. . . the main source of HIV among women in Nigeria.

Blazay:

From Southern Nigeria of course.
No morals.
Will bang anything that moves with all that polygamy crap.
Condoms melting away in their wallets, all for show.

Just imagine.

Polygamy. . . the main source of HIV among women in Nigeria.

Are you sure the bulk of HIV patience in Nigeria are from the south? The link below is old data but I do not know if much is changing with time per each state.

http://www.naijarules.com/vb/news-current-affairs-politics/17208-benue-state-takes-hiv-trophy.html

DapoBear:

That is scary. Wrap it up, folks.
Even scarier 

HIV infections tend to happen a lot in long term relationships because one party strays. Because the relationship is long term, there is no condom use. Many Nigerians maintain concurrent relationships(multiple partners over extended periods) which aid the infection's spread.

Looks like things have not changed that much over time. Benue reduced a bit but still high up there as # 1, while Ekiti is still low down there.

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-328635.0.html

Most of these statistics are highly inflated. Because in Nigeria, the more HIV people you re reported to have in hospital the more you get retroviral drugs and money will flow more to take care of patients. So for the past 8 years the government and NGO's has been fighting AID there has never been any significant reduction in patients number.

4 Play:

HIV infections tend to happen a lot in long term relationships because one party strays. Because the relationship is long term, there is no condom use. Many Nigerians maintain concurrent relationships(multiple partners over extended periods) which aid the infection's spread.

Yep. What should be a refuge (having sex with your wife/husband w/o a condom) is instead risky 

You'd think that these folks would think to themselves, "Gee, even though I'm cheating on my wife/husband with this ashawo, it is probably a good idea to use a condom."

Tsiya:

Most of these statistics are highly inflated. Because in Nigeria, the more HIV people you re reported to have in hospital the more you get retroviral drugs and money will flow more to take care of patients. So for the past 8 years the government and NGO's has been fighting AID there has never been any significant reduction in patients number.

This only applies in Nigeria, and never in countries like South Africa, India, Botswana, etc?

Blazay:

[b]From Southern Nigeria of course.
[/b]No morals.
Will bang anything that moves with all that polygamy crap.
Condoms melting away in their wallets, all for show.

Just imagine.

Polygamy. . . the main source of HIV among women in Nigeria.

How many wives does a normal northerner have? Before you start making tribalist comments, THINK!

Wow! pretty scary picture there.

While is the news about HIV/AIDS all about doom and gloom?

Even among couple who seemingly practiced 'safe sex'.

God above help us.

really

polygamy is not a risk factor for HIV. infact, muslim countries and states in Africa have the lowest rates.

In Nigeria, I will say that it is higher among people around the oil rich areas (niger delta, eastern parts etc). due to prostitution since there is the perception that oil workers are wealthy.  The girls around there need to get educated about HIV/AIDS.
And probably higher around tourist areas in general or where prostitution exists.

Let us not forget about Lagos either. But since it is an international city, that is expected.

Tsiya:

Most of these statistics are highly inflated. Because in Nigeria, the more HIV people you re reported to have in hospital the more you get retroviral drugs and money will flow more to take care of patients. So for the past 8 years the government and NGO's has been fighting AID there has never been any significant reduction in patients number.

thank you,the stat is being inflated by some of this NGO,just to get more grant,fund from govt and WHO.

oyinda.:

polygamy is not a risk factor for HIV. infact, muslim countries and states in Africa have the lowest rates.

In Nigeria, I will say that it is higher among people around the oil rich areas (niger delta, eastern parts etc). due to prostitution since there is the perception that oil workers are wealthy.  The girls around there need to get educated about HIV/AIDS.
And probably higher around tourist areas in general or where prostitution exists.

HIV is minimal in the NORTH where polygamy is rampant.and very common in south south where polygamy is not common i.e akwa ibom&cross river(i do my NYSC in dis region)even statistics is there to show.

Tsiya:

Most of these statistics are highly inflated. Because in Nigeria, the more HIV people you re reported to have in hospital the more you get retroviral drugs and money will flow more to take care of patients. So for the past 8 years the government and NGO's has been fighting AID there has never been any significant reduction in patients number.

the ARVS are provided FREE of charge by the international partners, so it doesn't make any sense to deliberately inflate figures. it's not as if hospitals are given money to procure the drugs

furthermore most centres esp those run by ICAP and AIDSRLIEF have capped enrollment, that is they can't take in new patients except pregnat women and young children (OVCs).

by the way funding for the programs have not increased since 2009.

can this be true?

speechless.

The prevalence of AIDS in Nigeria is seriously inflated. A doctor in a teaching hospital once remarked that if the hospital could be used as a benchmark, the prevalence would be less than one percent. This factors in all hospital admissions and visits by patients over the course of a year.
Nigerians just like repeating facts so that they can get more money for the projects.

Eretare:

The prevalence of AIDS in Nigeria is seriously inflated. A doctor in a teaching hospital once remarked that if the hospital could be used as a benchmark, the prevalence would be less than one percent. This factors in all hospital admissions and visits by patients over the course of a year.
Nigerians just like repeating facts so that they can get more money for the projects.

I really wish you people would stop deceiving yourselves.