Nigeria: NAIIS – The survey that could solve the dilemma of HIV data in Nigeria

HIV prevalence rates in Nigeria have been the subject of much debate. According to several authorities, the bone of contention is that the current rates of HIV prevalence cited in some parts of Nigeria may not reflect reality. While investigations conducted in the past suggest that there should be about 3.5 million Nigerians infected, the service delivery data did not support it. The bodies in charge of treating HIV patients have been complaining for a long time that they just can not find the cases, but for many years no one has believed them. They were invited to be "innovative", to go to "hard-to-reach areas" and to target "key populations".

Understanding the prevalence of HIV in Nigeria is more important than ever before. The official HIV prevalence by UNAIDS in Nigeria is 3.2% among the adult population, giving a total estimate of 3.4 million Nigerians living with HIV. The most recent national HIV prevalence survey conducted in Nigeria in 2013/14, conducted by the National AIDS and STI Control Program of the Federal Ministry of Health, estimated HIV prevalence at 3.0% overall. among women in antenatal care in Nigeria. In Nigeria, national HIV estimates were mainly based on surveys that focus on pregnant women attending a number of sentinel antenatal clinics. However, for many years, the limitation of antenatal care surveys as overestimates has been recognized by many countries.

Without establishing HIV prevalence rates in Nigeria, budgeting for HIV care and treatment will continue to be a problem. Knowing specific rates of HIV prevalence in various states in Nigeria would mean that resources could be allocated more efficiently and any potential fraud in the HIV treatment supply chain could be effectively curbed. It's time to act.

It is in this context that the National AIDS Agency (NACA) launched the largest HIV / AIDS survey ever conducted in the world Survey of Indicators and Indicators. impact of AIDS (NAIIS). Launched on Thursday, June 28, 2018, the survey will have a sample of about 170,000 people in Nigeria 's 774 local government areas. NAIIS should determine an accurate estimate of people living with HIV / AIDS in Nigeria, according to NACA Director General Dr. Sani Aliyu. Estimating the number of people infected with HIV is a very important process for advocacy, program planning and evaluation purposes.

US Ambbadador to Nigeria, Dr. Stuart Symington, said at the launch that HIV-positive people were being treated is the most effective way to fight the disease until they are free. an HIV vaccine can be developed. Globally, about 36.7 million people were living with HIV in December 2016 and more than one million people lost their lives that year. More than 26 million people living with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa.

Aliyu noted at the launch that about 30% of Nigerians living with HIV / AIDS are in treatment, which means that the remaining 70%, just over 2 million people, do not know that they are infected or do not show up. However, these estimates are based on a population of infected people of about 3.5 million. If we estimate that there are fewer people infected, then Nigeria would be better with its treatment program.

The purpose of the HIV / AIDS Indicator and Impact Study is to reveal the true burden and impact of HIV / AIDS. AIDS in every state and LGA of the country. Knowing the real and precise geographic burden will help government and development partners channel resources more effectively and track progress over specific time periods.

Supported by US Government, Global Fund, UNAIDS and other partners, NAIIS is expected to run for six months with 2,000 enumerators collecting data from thousands of households across the country. The results, which should be ready in early 2019, will help the country to determine the real burden of HIV / AIDS and to take ownership of the disease management, which has so far been largely funded by donors. For example, the US government has spent more than $ 4 billion to provide laboratory care to drugs since 2004.

At the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly in 2017, the President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to providing antiretroviral therapy. 50,000 Nigerians living with HIV / AIDS every year, starting in 2018. This commitment, though it is fully implemented, is only the tip of the iceberg in relation to the high burden , but will allow Nigeria to take over HIV / AIDS management President Buhari, who was the guest speaker at the launch, said the NAIIS survey is coming at an opportune time as the country heads for phase of implementation of the National Health Law.

As the first phase of the survey begins with investigators traveling across the country collecting data, there is high expectation that this survey will serve as a vehicle for HIV / AIDS c must be brought to the doorstep people who need it and will serve for a long time as a reference for political guidance to eliminate the disease.

We can not manage what we do not measure correctly. With a population as large as ours, these things matter, because a 1% difference in HIV prevalence equals about 1 million people. An accurate estimate of prevalence is therefore important for everything from allocating resources to measuring the impact.