The epidemiology of HIV in Nigeria : Changing trends and new challenges

Objective: A retrospective study was carried out to establish the epidemiological trend of HIV infection in the country between 1990 and 1998. Method: Data was obtained from the records of hospital and laboratory facilities in the six geo-political zones of the country. The total number of people screened and the total number positive for HIV were recorded. All the data were analysed centrally at the HIV laboratory of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos. The National HIV prevalence rate for each year was estimated using the total number screened and the total number positive. Results: Data showed a progressive increase in the seroprevalence rates with time. The seroprevalence rates increased from 0.9% in 1990 to 1.6% in 1992, 4.1% in 1994, 4.8% in 1996 and 5.8% in 1999. Conclusions: The study confirmed that the epidemic in Nigeria is still increasing. New cases are still emerging. The number of people infected increased in absolute numbers from about 1 million to 5 million people between 1990 to 1999. The clear indication is that the pool of people living with HIV in the country is increasing and efforts should be made under the control programme to provide adequate clinical and social care for people living with HIV in the country. Hitherto, the main thrust of the control programmes had been focused on preventive strategies.

Presenting author: D. I. Onwujekwe, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, PMB, 6 Edmund Cresent, Yaba Lagos 2013, Nigeria, Tel.: +234 1 470 59 45, Fax: +234 1 861 732