HIV Among Military Personnel in the Niger Delta of Nigeria

Abstract

The military community is considered a high-risk environment for HIV transmission. In this study, a total of One hundred and fifty military personnel aged between 20 and 55 years attending the Nigerian army Hospital, Air Force Clinic and Police Clinic in the Niger Delta of Nigeria were randomly recruited for the study. Samples were tested for HIV using an immunochromatographic assay. The CD4 cell count was estimated using the Partec Cyflow Counter (Partec, Germany). Results of the study showed an overall HIV prevalence rate of 14.67%. The prevalence of HIV was significantly higher among subjects in the ≥40 years age group (P = 0.03). The HIV prevalence was higher among female subjects compared to male military personnel (P = 0.05). Also, there was a significant negative correlation between the CD4 count and HIV positivity (r = -0.443, P<0.01). Out of the 22 subjects positive for HIV, 9.1% were severely immune compromised with CD4 count below<200 cells/μL while 72.7 and 18.2% had CD4 count of 200-350 and 350-500 cells/μL respectively. There is need for the development of a strategic plan that integrates HIV/AIDS and other STIs programs into existing systems and structures to foster behavior change through information dissemination. Policies should be instituted to make condoms regularly available and freely distributed, with the goal of achieving a 100%-condom-use rate. There is the need for an effective voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) and sentinel surveillance survey in the Nigerian military. Also critical is the establishment of a fully integrated and comprehensive care and support system including universal access of antiretroviral treatment for infected people.

Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Antibody among Subjects in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State of Nigeria

“…In this study, we observed an overall sero-prevalence of 10.6%. This finding is consistent with previous report in other part of Niger Delta communities as reported by Azuonwu [3], with a prevalence of 15.0% [17]. The value obtained in this study is however much higher than the National sentinel sero-prevalence rate of 3.4%, this may probably be due to the sample size of the study or lack of knowledge about the mode of transmission and risk factors among the subjects, which includes high risk sexual behaviour, homosexual and hetero sexually promiscuity of some of the subjects living in the region.…”

“…This result is in corroboration with Azuonwu [3], finding, which reported that, there were twelve to thirteen HIV infected women for every infected man [3]. This fact may be due to casual attitude towards sex, tendencies towards multiple sex partners and risk behaviours (like sharing of sharp objects), that make them vulnerable to infection.…”

“…as reported by Azuonwu [3]. Moreover, the transmission could involve anal, vaginal or oral sex, blood transfusion, contaminated hypodermic needles, exchange between mother and child during pregnancy, child birth, or breast feeding [2,4,5].…”

“…HIV/AIDS has no cure; however, the possibility of managing the illness is guaranteed now with the advent of antiretroviral therapy such that a patient can live an almost normal and fulfilled life thus, there is need to ascertain the status of the people around this region as well as the prevalence of HIV because the issue of industrialization have posed threat to increased infection as seen in previous studies [3,13], by probably increasing the level of promiscuity and unhealthy life styles among the people, especially the female folks who opt for commercial sex practices as means of livelihood with the staff from of the multinational firms present in this region.…”

Challenges Associated with the Effective Management of HIV Infection in a Low Income Setting in Sub Saharan Africa: Case Study of Nigeria

“…They maintain modest levels of condom use and high rates of STIs, take advantage of modern medical treatment, and report good rates of partner notification when infected but low rates of notifying their spouses about infection episodes. A previous study by Azuonwu et al (Azuonwu et al, 2011) investigated the prevalence of HIV among a total of One hundred and fifty military personnel aged between 20 and 55 years in the Niger Delta of Nigeria and observed an overall HIV prevalence rate of 14.67%. The HIV prevalence among the male was higher than that of the female group (84% versus 16%).…”