The latest quarterly factsheet of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has revealed that two states – Akwa Ibom and Benue, have the highest number of people infected with HIV in the country.
According to the report, 48 out of every 1,000 persons selected at random in the states are likely to test positive for HIV, which is way higher than the national average – 13 in every 1,000 persons. This brings the HIV prevalence rate in Nigeria to 1.3 percent according to the 2018 Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS).
According to the Director-General of NACA, Dr Gambo Aliyu, the HIV prevalence was largely first because of behavior then culture.
“If you look at some communities nationally, because of culture and behaviour, you will see that the prevalence is very high because of the way people live, interact, and the way they socialise.”
Other states like Taraba, Anambra and Abia, have the next highest HIV prevalence rate of 2.6, 2.2, and 2.0 percent respectively. The report shows that states in the North have the lowest HIV prevalence rate.
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