[ad_1]
The Akwa Ibom government attributed the high rate of HIV / AIDS in that state to the influx of visitors.
The Nigerian HIV Indicators and Impact Survey (NAIIS) shows that Akwa Ibom has the highest HIV prevalence rate in the country.
About 5.5% of people living with HIV in Nigeria are in Akwa Ibom State, followed by Benue State, where the prevalence rate is about 5.3%, according to the findings of the survey published on 14 March in Abuja.
A few days after the publication of the results of the NAIIS investigation, the health commissioner at Akwa Ibom, Dominic Ukpong, informed reporters in Uyo of the state government's reaction to the results of the investigation. ;investigation.
The text of the press briefing has just been made available to PREMIUM TIMES.
"The location of the state with a wide 129 km coastal front that extends from Ikot Abasi to Oron, an airport, a good road network, a peaceful atmosphere, the kindness of our people, good food and a rapidly developing economy have made our state the destination of choice for domestic and international visitors, "Ukpong, a doctor, told reporters.
"All of these problems are not without consequences for public health, such as the transmission of communicable diseases for which HIV / AIDS can not be excluded."
Mr Ukpong said that the state government and its health partners, with funding from USAID, had conducted a similar survey – the Akwa Ibom AIDS Indicator Survey (AKAIS) survey. – in 2017
"The result as released in November 2017 indicated a prevalence of 4.8% for the 15 to 69 age group.
"Statistically, these two results, respectively 5.5% (2018) and 4.8% (2017) for NAIIS and AKAIS, are in the same 95% confidence interval, between 4.7 and 6.3% .
"Therefore, the results are scientifically similar despite the little change in the numbers.The slight difference between the prevalence of NAIIS and that of AKAIS can be attributed to the size of the sample population, about 16,000 in AKAIS 2017 and around 8,000 to NAIIS 2018, thus making twice the size of the AKAIS sample in NAIIS, making the AKAIS result more accurate, "said Mr. Ukpong.
The health commissioner said that HIV prevalence in the state was down.
"The last nationally accepted HIV survey, ahead of NAIIS in 2018, was the ANC SENTINEL study in 2014 and the national prevalence was 3%, while the prevalence in the state of Akwa Ibom was 10.8%.
"It can be argued that the national prevalence has increased from 3% (2014) to 1.4% (2018), as that of the state of Akwa Ibom has increased from 10.8% (2014). ) to 5.5% (2018) ", said the Commissioner. I said.
He added that the state's governor, Udom Emmanuel, was committed to the health and well-being of the people.
The Commissioner listed immediate measures to curb the spread of HIV / AIDS in the state:
* Improve access to HIV testing services by providing sufficient rapid test kits allowing all primary health centers and state secondary health facilities to provide free HIV testing services to its citizens.
* Increased access to treatment by creating three new comprehensive treatment centers, one per senate district to be fully supported by the state government. They will complement other comprehensive treatment centers supported by international partners.
* The National Council for the Development of Primary Health Care, recently inaugurated by the Executive Governor, is trying to revive its activities, which include the management of our primary health centers. This will have a positive impact on service delivery in these health facilities.
* Engage in state-wide awareness and awareness campaigns across the state to create a demand for the use of HIV services. (I therefore appeal to the media to become partners in this project by incorporating free jingles, TV news, talk shows and media discussions on HIV to support the fight against HIV transmission. virus.)
* Strategies for effective intervention among the drivers of new infections, namely young adult women and key population members, by designing gender and youth interventions.
Among the long-term measures, the Commissioner said that the government would push for the country to pbad legislation that protects people living with HIV and puts an end to stigma and discrimination.
Source link
