The findings of the 2010 Integrated Biological and Behavioural Survey among the high risk groups in Nigeria, show increase of HIV prevalence among? men who have sex with men (MSM).
The Minister of Health, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, said this at a meeting to disseminate findings of the 2010 Integrated Biological and Behavioural Surveillance (IBBSS) in Abuja.
Chukwu, who was represented on the occasion by Dr Tolu Fakeye, Director, Health Planning Research and Statistics in the ministry, said the HIV prevalence among MSM had increased from 13.5 per cent in 2007 to 17.2 per cent in 2010.
He explained that more than 50 per cent MSM surveyed reported that some of the men also had sex with female partners.
Chukwu said the prevalence of HIV among the military, police and transport workers were on the decline compared with the 2007 IBBSS survey.
“I wish to commend the military and the Police HIV Control Programme for keeping the prevalence among its population low.”
“The Federal Ministry of Health will continue to partner with you until we all succeed in halting the transmission of HIV in Nigeria.”
“I wish to thank the road transport workers for keeping the prevalence low in their population, I encourage that you continue to spread the HIV and AIDS prevention messages among your members,’’ he said.
Chukwu said government efforts at reducing HIV transmission were yielding results among female sex workers, adding that efforts would be intensified to sustain it.
“The decrease in prevalence corresponds with the increase in prevention uptake such as consistent condom usage,” he noted.
According to Chukwu, to sustain the slow but steady progress in reducing the occurrence of HIV in Nigeria, his ministry will consider operational research to elucidate what works and what needs strengthening in the fight against the virus.
Also speaking, Dr Wapada Balami, National Coordinator, HIV and AIDS in the ministry, noted that? there was a wide gap in access to HIV and AIDS preventive communication at state levels.