The prevalence rate of the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus, which leads to the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome in Plateau State increased from 2.6 per cent in 2008 to 7.7 per cent in 2010. This represents an increase of 196.15 per cent.

With the development, Plateau has displaced Benue in the rate of increase, but Benue still retains the number one position in the country. While Benue has a prevalence rate of 10.6 in 2008, it increased to 12.7 in the 2010 survey.

Chief of Party, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria, Dr. Patrick Dakum, who disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent in Jos, said that the top five states in the prevalence rate were Benue, 12.7 per cent; Akwa Ibom, 10.9; Bayelsa 9.1; Anambra, 8.7; FCT 8.6; and Plateau State, 7.7.

According to him, the increase in the prevalence rate in Plateau State can be attributed to the social unrests, which had taken its toll on the economic and social lives of the people. He described the increase in Plateau State as quite disturbing.

Dakum said, “Well first of all, this is a survey that is carried out every two years among ante-natal women. Usually there are sites that were selected that have primary and secondary healthcare facilities where this survey is done and it looks as a snapshot of what the burden of diseases in the country. And the brighter side of it is the fact that the general prevalence rate in the country seems to be going down.

“Secondly on the brighter side is that the prevalence rate among young persons is consistently going down on the average. So those are the good aspect of it. From 4.6 in the 2008 prevalence, we now have 4.1, which is a decline. Of course for us to beat our chest and say that everything is okay on the way down, we need to also see it consistently down for a period of time.”

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