The HIV/AIDS infection prevalence data officially issued by the Federal authorities show, not surprisingly, a tripling infection rate. The first AIDS case was formally reported in 1986.
In 1993 the infection rate was 1.8%, then 3.8% in 1994, 4.5% in 1996 and 5.4% in 1999. (Minister of Health December 2000.) In the distribution of the infection the infection appears not to respect rural and urban dichotomy.
Summary of HIV Prevalence by geo political Zones
Source: NACA / FMH
SOUTH EAST SOUTH SOUTH
Abia 3.0 Akwa Ibom 12.5
Anambra 6.0 Bayelsa 4.3
Ebonyi 9.3 Cross Rivers 5.8
Enugu 4.7 Delta 4.2
Imo 7.8 Edo 5.9
Rivers 3.3
NORTH EAST NORTH CENTRAL
Adamawa 5.0 Benue 16.8
Bauchi 3.0 FCT 7.2
Borno 4.5 Kogi 5.2
Gombe 4.7 Kwara 3.2
Taraba 5.5 Nassarawa 10.8
Yobe 1.9 Niger 6.7
Plateau 6.1
SOUTH WEST NORTH WEST
Ekiti 2.2 Jigawa 1.7
Lagos 6.7 Kaduna 11.6
Ogun 2.5 Kano 4.3
Ondo 2.9 Katsina 2.3
Osun 3.7 Kebbi 3.7
Oyo 3.5 Sokoto 2.7
Zamfara 2.7
The worst affected of the places in Nigeria in the official statistics are essentially rural areas. For instance Oturkpo in Benue State of the Middle Belt Zone of Nigeria has 21% infection prevalence. Kafanchan, near Abuja, the Federal Capital also has about 16% prevalence rate. Gadar Tuaburauwa in Kano State as at 1997 had an infection prevalence of 16%. On the whole the national average is believed to be anywhere between 8-10 %. This rate is rising.
As is the case in most parts of Africa, the most virile segment of the population is badly affected by this pandemic. A survey carried out by the National AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Disease Control Programme shows the following:
20% of all current cases are civil servants; 18% housewives and businessmen; 11% farmers and 11% students.
IMPEDIMENTS TO HIV/ AIDS PREVENTION
Several factors account for the increasing cases of HIV infection in Nigeria. (1)These include, the worsening economic conditions of Nigeria. These conditions have led to the collapse of the school system and generally, in Nigeria the literacy rate is dropping. Quite a large number of people do not comprehend campaigns conducted in English. This fact means that health education programmes will necessarily become more expensive to carry out because a large number of those targeted may not be able to understand the messages.
Closely tied to this, is the fact that fewer number of people are bale to afford even condoms. (2) SOCIAL STIGMA / LACK OF OPENNESS
HIV/AIDS is mainly a social disease that no one wants to associate with. No one wants to open up on. Except for the notable case of the famous musician, Fela Anikulapo Kuti whose death was publicly announced as HIV/AIDS related, no prominent death in Nigeria has been attributed to it.
Three main approaches will help in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic threat in Africa.
First, is the necessary advocacy to change the attitude of government and its top functionaries towards the scourge. Stigmatisation of victims has cast a cloud of secrecy over the disease and its victims. It is obvious that the more people talk about HIS/AIDS openly, the more the attitude of the public will change. The stigmatization, for instance, has resulted in relations keeping victims away from public view. Oftentimes, deaths are announced without the cause.
The change in the attitude of the public will result in the appropriate legislations to ensure:
1. Protection of victims against discrimination.
2. Protection of the public against those who deliberately engage in acts that spread the HIV virus. For instance, some people deliberately engage in unprotected sex because they too were “infected by somebody.”
3. Development of indigenous herbal treatment for the treatment of HIV. Despite the lack of cooperation by government, medical practitioners in large numbers are cooperating with traditional herbal practitioners. Initial results published by them show promising results.
In spite of government’s advice, several orthodox medical practitioners send patients to herbal treatment outlets, some of which have come out with very loud claims about the effectiveness of their cure. The controversy arising from these claims and counter claims prompted the House of Representatives (the lower chamber of the National Assembly) to hold public hearings o n the claims of cure to AIDS.
The questions then are:
i. What standards of p roof do the traditional medical practitioners need to be accepted?
ii. Do we have a procedure that is scientifically correct and acceptable to the Traditional Medical Practitioners? And what measures can be adopted to ensure that people do not fall into the hands of quacks?
Even though cooperation between orthodox and Traditional Medical Practitioners has increased, the necessary atmosphere of cooperation to harness the advantages of science and natural medicine have not been provided.
It is therefore necessary to acknowledge the existence of Traditional Medicine which is the primary medical help available to the majority of population (over 60% in Nigeria). Appropriate legislations and government policies can be worked out to ensure the development, standardization and efficacy of the herbal and natural treatment for AIDS.
The argument for t he incorporation of herbal and natural treatment into the national health policy are strong:
First, if indeed, as Western scientists have insisted, HIV/AIDS originated in Africa, it means that Africans have been living with it for some time. If the virus has been as devastated as we now know, it means t hat, cure for it must have been available in Africa, otherwise the whole continent would have been wiped out. What we need to find out is what in Africa may the HIV/AIDS not wipe out all Africans before 1981 when it was noticed in the USA.
Second, medical practitioners who have sent patients to TMP report promising results.
Third, TMP is much more cheaper and available t o a greater percentage of Nigerian populations.
Fourth, standardization for safety and efficacy can be achieved, and
Fifty, the search for natural cure is the standards all over the world – and Africa’s own natural products should not be discarded.
5. Appropriate legislations and policies to raise the awareness of the dangers of health.
Areas of Cooperation
1. Poverty Alleviation Programmes
2. Medical care and assistance for HIV victims
3. Care for AIDS orphans/widows
4. Political support / will.
This will set the stage for open approach to reduce the stigma and discrimination which AIDS victims face.
6. Networking
Sharing of results of medical and herbal advances. Ensuring that helpful programmes are shared among concerned groups.
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This post was written by admin on October 3, 2008