By Zayamu Hassan
A new study conducted by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), has revealed that unmarried men and women, commercial sex workers and homosexuals account for about 91 percent of all new HIV infections among adults in Nigeria.
The Director General of NACA, Dr. Gambo Aliyu, disclosed at a media briefing in Abuja, on Monday.
According to him, the largest number of new HIV infections in the adult population is occurring among the Never Married Females and Never Married Males.
He also revealed that the next largest number of new infectionos occurred among Female Sex Workers and Men who have Sex with Men.
Dr Aliyu, however, explained that the study gives the country new direction on innovative ways to focus its attention and utilise resources to make sure that HIV transmission is reduced to the barest minimum in the next two years.
“To this end, the Mode of Transmission Study (MOT), which focuses on identifying the sources of new HIV infections in the country and was first conducted in 2009, was recently repeated using an updated model known as the Incidence Pattern Model.
“This was done to support efforts geared towards preventing new HIV infections using information that was accurate and clearly show where new infections are occurring and among which population group.
“It is noteworthy to state that data from the 2018 Nigeria AIDS Indicator Impact Survey (NAIIS) supplied most of the information on population size and characteristics used for the study.
“The Key population (KP) size, prevalence rate for Key Populations and the number of new infections by State spread were estimated from the recent KP study,” he further explained.
The DG also noted that key populations which represent less than 2 per cent of the total population account for about 11 per cent of new infections.
“Child infections due to mother-to-child transmission represent the second- largest source of new infection accounting for 22% of all new infections. In many states, child infections account for an even larger proportion, up to 50 per cent.”
According to him, the findings of the study will further help the NACA and partners redirect resources for maximum yields as “we look forward to attaining epidemic control with more targeted interventions.”
Dr Aliyu further said efforts will be made to target the unmarried population which is the largest source of new infections and are mostly between the ages of 17 to 34 for females and 19-31 for men.
“Special efforts are needed to be made to reach this population in schools, workplaces, gathering spots and through social media.
“The new infections through newborns due to low coverage of PMTCT. Efforts will be targeted at encouraging women to attend ANC especially in high prevalence states.
“Increased efforts especially for the highest risk FSW and MSM which has shown that even though the population is small, prevalence remains high among sex workers and MSM in spite of high levels of reported condom use,” the director general concluded.
