HIV:Nigeria's prevalence rate drops to 4.1%

Vanguard

29 March 2011

HIV:Nigeria's prevalence rate drops to 4.1%:

In line with predictions, Nigeria’s national HIV prevalence rate has continued its downward trend first witnessed in 2001.

Result of the latest HIV Sero-Prevalence Sentinel Survey conducted among the antenatal clinic attendees in Nigeria puts the overall 2010 National HIV prevalence at 4.1 per cent – down by 0.1 percent from the 2008 figure.

An estimated three million persons are living with HIV – positioning Nigeria in the No. 2 spot. Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, attributed the decline to the effectiveness of HIV prevention/ intervention strategies adopted in the country.

Giving insight into the sentinel survey, Chukwu He said the epidemic has affected all parts of the country with varying degrees of severity.

“The overall National HIV prevalence for 2010 ANC Sentinel Survey is 4.1 per cent with prevalence ranging from 1.0 per cent in Kebbi to 12.7 per cent in Benue state. The prevalence was generally higher in urban than rural areas. However, eight states had a higher rural prevalence than urban and the highest survey site-specific prevalence of 21.3 per cent was observed in Wannune, a rural site in Benue State.