HIV and AIDS prevalence rate in Abia worries doctors
NAN
October 26, 2011 06:37PM


The Abia chapter of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has expressed concern over the progressive prevalence rate of HIV and AIDS in the state. The group has as part of activities marking its 2011 Physicians' Week, organised a pep talk in some selected public schools in Umuahia.

Nwogu Kelechukwu, a medical practitioner at the Federal Medical Centre, noted that the prevalence rate had been on the increase since 1999.

Dr Nwogu, while addressing students of Technical School, Afara in Umuahia North local government area, said that the situation had become a source of concern to the association.

He said that the HIV rate had been on a steady rise from 3 percent in 1999; 3.3 percent in 2001; 5 percent in 2007 to 7 percent in 2010.

He said that the association decided to target the younger generation in order to safeguard the future of the state.

Nwogu said that the epidemic had been a challenge to the medical profession, adding that the younger generation needed to guard their future.

"At this stage of your life, there is this confusion which may lead you to engage in intimate relationship.

"You can decide not to acquire it by abstaining from such," he said.

Nwogu said that HIV and AIDS knew no age barrier, adding that doctors at the FMC sometimes attend to children with the virus.

Okezie Chimezie, who spoke on drug abuse, expressed fear on the future of the younger generation, whom he said were relying on narcotics and other hard drugs.

"You cannot achieve much if you rely on drugs because it breeds deviants in our society," he said.

Dr Chimezie advised the students to always seek medical attention instead of indulging in self-medication.


The prevalence rate of the deadly disease in the state has risen from 3 percent in 1999 to 7 percent in 2010.

Am surprised d figure is not higher;all has bn one heinous thing or the other ever since Theodore became govt:kidnappings,rapes and I think its evn d homosexual capital of the country,so why wud d HIV figure b any less?

If there is prevalence of HIV/AIDSin Alaigbo,this is because people are not taking responsisbility to use protection if they must sexual relations with strangers/lovers. there are little or no effort made to educate the populace on the dangers of unprotected sex, sharing of needles, blades, hair cutting gargets, and transfusing unsterilized blood. we all need to take responsibility,be our brothers keepers, the HIV pandemic must be brought on it´s kneels in our land.