About 1.9 million Nigerians are living with HIV according to results of the 2018 National HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey, NAIIS, conducted by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, the Federal Ministry of Health, UNAIDS and other international partners.
This is even as a new national HIV prevalence of 1.4 percent has been confirmed among Nigerian adults aged 15–49 years.
Previous estimates had indicated that over 3 million Nigerians were living with HIV and that the country had a national HIV prevalence of 2.8 percent.
Welcoming the news Thursday in Abuja that there are fewer people living with HIV in the country than previously estimated while launching the Revised National HIV and AIDS Strategic Framework 2019–2021, which will guide the country’s future response to the epidemic, President Mohammad Buhari however observed that it was not time to celebrate.
“For the first time, the end of AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is truly in sight for our country. I urge all of us not to relent but to increase the momentum. Let us work collectively and push for the last mile,” the president stated.
Noting that the results of the survey came at the right time, he said it would provide the data required to plan adequately and consolidate on the past and current gains against the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country.
“This is the largest population based HIV/AIDS survey of its kind ever conducted and it has provided us with the crucial information to move forward and to act based on scientific data.
“More accurate figures show that fewer Nigerians have HIV/AIDS but we cannot celebrate yet because over one million of those infected are not on treatment.
“We need more cognitive response to understand detailed response to the challenge.”
The Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, said “NAIIS provide us with an accurate National HIV prevalence measure of 1.4 percent and also shows that we are able to effectively provide antiretroviral treatment.
“Everyone infected with HIV needs to get treatment so they can achieve viral suppression, especially pregnant women. We must ensure pregnant women have access to antenatal services and are tested during every pregnancy. We know we can support HIV-positive mothers, hence ensuring the next generation is free from HIV.”
In his own view, Dr Sani Aliyu, Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, stated: “It is important that all people living with HIV get treatment and achieve viral suppression. To halt the epidemic, we need to act now. As a government working with our partners, we have what it takes to support people who are HIV-positive, to provide treatment, to protect their families and to help people live long and healthy lives.”
The Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé, welcomed the new estimates and said the improved understanding of the country’s HIV epidemic would allow Nigeria to better reach people living with HIV and people at higher risk of acquiring HIV.
“I commend the Government of Nigeria and its partners for conducting this ambitious survey, which provides us with a much better understanding of the country’s HIV epidemic.
“While it is fantastic news that there are fewer people living with HIV in Nigeria than previously thought, we must not let down our guard. Let us use the results of this survey to better focus our delivery of HIV prevention, treatment and care services to the people in the greatest need and ensure that Nigeria gets on track to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.”
women aged 15–49 years are more likely to be living with HIV than men (1.9 percent versus 0.9 percent), according to the report.
The difference in HIV prevalence between women and men is greatest among younger adults, with young women aged 20–24 years more than three times as likely to be living with HIV as young men in the same age group.
Also, among children aged 0–14 years, HIV prevalence according to the new data is 0.2 percent. Significant efforts have been made in recent years to stop new HIV infections among children.
From the new data HIV prevalence by state, the South-South zone of the country has the highest HIV prevalence, at 3.1 percent among adults aged 15–49 years.
HIV prevalence is also high in the North Central zone (2.0 percent) and in the South East zone (1.9 percent). HIV prevalence is lower in the South West zone (1.1 percent ), the North East zone (1.1percent ) and the North West zone (0.6 percent).
At the national level, viral suppression among people living with HIV aged 15–49 years stands at 42.3 percent (45.3 percent among women and 34.5 percent among men).
When people living with HIV are virally suppressed they remain healthy and transmission of the virus is prevented, the report noted.
According to UNAIDS, the improved understanding of the country’s HIV epidemic will allow for more efficient investments in the response to HIV and more effective planning for the provision of HIV prevention, care and treatment services, including a focus on key populations, such as female sex workers. It will permit the adoption of a population–location approach to deliver services to the people and areas where they are most definitely
