Prevalence of HIV among Adolescent Children in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Nigeria

Abstract

Adolescents in Africa have low HIV testing rates. Determining the HIV prevalence among this group is very important because adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) have worse health outcome than other populations of people living with HIV. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of HIV among children of adolescents age (10-18 years) that come for HIV testing in virology laboratory of National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Abuja from January 2013 to December 2018. The result was expressed in percentage and disaggregated by sex. Out of 533 adolescents tested over 6 years, 252 (51.9%) females and 234 (48.1%) were males. A total of 69 (14.1%) of them were tested HIV positive which 42 (8.6%) were females and 27 (5.5%) were males. The result of this study indicates that there is epidemics of HIV among adolescents living in Federal Capital Territory Abuja. It is also evident that females are more vulnerable to HIV infection than the males. There is therefore need for urgent standard and comprehensive procedure for adolescents living with HIV transitioning from paediatric to adult care. This also calls for intensive enlightment on HIV education especially in our basic and post basic schools in Abuja.

Sero-Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) among High Risk Groups in Abuja, Nigeria

“…The study revealed that more female sex workers are infected with HIV than the male counterparts. This is in comparison to the findings of [24] of 2.74% among FSW and 2.67% among MSW, 6.24% among females and 1.58% among males by [22]. The study indicated that 1.58% prevalence of HIV among MSW is lower than the findings of 5.3% from China [25] and 6.25 by [22], but comparable to 1.4% among MSWs in Northern Mexico [23].…”

“…This is in comparison to the findings of [24] of 2.74% among FSW and 2.67% among MSW, 6.24% among females and 1.58% among males by [22]. The study indicated that 1.58% prevalence of HIV among MSW is lower than the findings of 5.3% from China [25] and 6.25 by [22], but comparable to 1.4% among MSWs in Northern Mexico [23]. HIV prevalence in FSW varies within and across west African countries, the findings of this study showed a lower prevalence compare to 20% by [26] 24.75% by [22].…”

“…The study indicated that 1.58% prevalence of HIV among MSW is lower than the findings of 5.3% from China [25] and 6.25 by [22], but comparable to 1.4% among MSWs in Northern Mexico [23]. HIV prevalence in FSW varies within and across west African countries, the findings of this study showed a lower prevalence compare to 20% by [26] 24.75% by [22]. According to meta-analysis of HIV among FSW in west Africa, prevalence of HIV among FSWs was 20.1% in Senegal, 25.7% in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, 26.6% in Côte d'Ivoire, 30.4% in Cotonou, Benin, 45.4% in Lome, Togo and up to 68.6% in a study in Ghana and Benin [3].…”

“…The female sex workers were found to have about four times the prevalence among the male sex workers. The prevalence of HIV among commercial sex workers is less than the result of 10.6% by [17], 22.5% by [20], 34.4% by [21] and 31% by [22], but lower than 3.8% by [23]. The study revealed that more female sex workers are infected with HIV than the male counterparts.…”