Yes, Nigeria is the world's largest producer of HIV infected babies.

An image of medication records to reduce the viral load of HIV in the body of a pregnant woman, so that her baby has less risk of getting the virus. Photo: AFP / ALEXANDER JOE

Under the title "Nigeria, the leading producer of HIV-infected infants", the Sun Journal reported on a new project to prevent the transmission of the virus from HIV-positive mothers to their babies.

At the launch, the Nigerian Minister of Health said: "There is absolutely no reason for Nigeria to become a major producer of HIV infected babies. We contribute about 30% and our goal is elimination. We believe that it is feasible. "

The World Health Organization defines mother-to-child transmission of HIV as transmission of the virus by an HIV-positive mother to her child during pregnancy, labor, delivery or badfeeding.

37,000 newly infected children in Nigeria in 2016

Adewole told Africa Check that it was referring to UNIDA data which showed that in 2016, Nigeria had the biggest share (26.9%) of new HIV infections from mother to child among the 23 priority countries of the organization.

"This was based on data available at the time and used existing figures for national HIV prevalence, total population, fertility rates, and actual coverage of antenatal care and HIV-related services," she said. he declared.

Gatien Ekanmian, Strategic Information Advisor at UNAids, told Africa Check that the organization uses this data to feed statistical modeling software.

According to UN estimates, 37,000 children under the age of 15 were newly infected with the virus in Nigeria in 2016. Mozambique followed with 9.6% of new infections (13,000 children) and 13% of children under the age of 15. South Africa with 8.6%, or 12,000 children.

Uncertainty in the estimates of infant infection

However, the number of newly infected children in Nigeria could be estimated between 22,000 and 56,000. Indeed, researchers need to make more badumptions to estimate the number of infections in children, UNAids explains. This increases the uncertainty.

"For example, the ranges around estimates of adult HIV prevalence are smaller than those around the estimate of HIV incidence in children, which requires additional data prevalence among pregnant women and the probability of HIV transmission from mother to child. have their own additional uncertainty, "says the method paper.

Although the data is for children under 15, not just babies, Ekanmian said UNids thought that other modes of infection "cause a small fraction of the total number of children who contract HIV."

New study on HIV / AIDS in Nigeria

But more accurate data may soon be available.

"C.Currently, Nigeria is conducting one of the largest global surveys, the Nigeria Indicators and Impact Survey, which is expected to provide preliminary data by early 2019, "said Ekanmian.

Frank Lule, Regional Advisor on HIV / AIDS at the WHO Regional Office for Africa, stated that the survey would likely show that mother-to-child transmission was lower than previously reported rates. Indeed, in the past, census data were used to estimate the number of children born to HIV-positive women, which tended to increase the number of children who would have contracted HIV from their children. mother.

Pregnant mothers can take precautions

Dr. Awoyemi Abayomi, Lecturer in the Department of Biological Sciences of the Tai Solarin School of Education, said the lack of awareness was one of the causes of the high rate of mother-to-child transmission in Nigeria.

"Nigerian HIV-infected women are unaware of the precautionary measures they need to take before, during and after pregnancy. To correct the statistic, it is necessary to tackle this problem. "

The country MICS survey found that in 2007 only 13% Nigerian women had been tested for HIV and knew their status. This figure dropped to 11% in 2012but increased to 34.8% in 2016/17.

Conclusion: In 2016, Nigeria had the highest number of newly infected HIV-positive children in 23 countries

Deferring on the launch of a new project to prevent HIV from pbading from mother to baby, the Sun newspaper said that Nigeria was "the largest producer of HIV-infected babies."

UNAids data show that in 2016, Nigeria had the highest proportion (26.9%) of new HIV infections from mother to child in 23 priority countries. An estimated 37,000 children under the age of 15 have been newly infected with the virus.

But because HIV data in children are uncertain, this number could range from 22,000 to 56,000.

Nigeria is currently conducting one of the largest HIV / AIDS impact studies in the world. This could give a better picture of HIV infection in the country's children.

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