HIV Prevalence on the Rise in Akwa Ibom Despite Government Efforts

Despite extensive government-led awareness campaigns and support from donor agencies, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Akwa Ibom State continues to soar. Akwa Ibom has persistently held the dubious distinction of being the state with the highest burden of HIV in Nigeria, with a staggering prevalence rate of 5.5%, according to the Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS).

This alarming trend has raised serious concerns among health officials and the general population. The data from Akwa Ibom State’s program in 2022 reveals that approximately 240,000 individuals are currently receiving treatment for HIV/AIDS in the state. Gender disparity is a notable issue, with females being disproportionately affected due to both biological and social factors. Among younger adults, females aged 20-24 years exhibit nearly four times the prevalence of HIV compared to males in the same age group.

As of June 2023, over 10,833 adolescents and young persons are receiving medications for HIV/AIDS, emphasizing the critical need for promoting positive living and ensuring adherence to viral suppression and epidemic control measures.

Dr. Edith Mathias Igbemi, speaking during a sensitization program on HIV/AIDS in the state, underscored the concerning prevalence of HIV among women and called for increased awareness and control measures. She identified several Local Government Areas (LGAs) with high HIV prevalence in Akwa Ibom, including Ikono, Obot Akara, Ikot Ekpene, Uyo, Uruan, Ibesikpo, Nsit Ubium, Eket, Ibeno, and Oron.

Dr. Igbemi highlighted some progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, such as improved case finding through Index Case Testing and other testing modalities. According to her, the 2021 publication of Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health estimated a decrease in the prevalence rate to 4.4%, subject to approval by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) in another survey. She stressed the need for collaboration with stakeholders and development partners to escalate HIV prevention activities, particularly among adolescents and young girls.

Mrs. Cecilia Ekanem, a health worker, pointed out that low access to antenatal care among some pregnant women contributes to the spread of HIV from mother to child in the state. She emphasized the importance of exclusive breastfeeding to protect infants from the virus.

One individual living with HIV, known as Edikan, shared his story during the sensitization program. He contracted the virus from his mother at birth and has lived with it for 24 years without significant challenges, highlighting that HIV is not a death sentence. Edikan encouraged people to get tested and take positive actions after knowing their status, despite the stigma that individuals living with HIV face.

To combat the stigma surrounding HIV, Dr. Enobong Akpan, the Manager of the Akwa Ibom State Agency for the Control of AIDS (AKSACA), called for the domestication of anti-stigma and discrimination laws in the state. He vowed to pursue sanctions against organizations or institutions found to stigmatize HIV-positive individuals. He also urged those living with the virus to avoid self-stigmatization.

Stigma remains a major driver of the HIV epidemic, especially among young people. A study found that 31.9% of individuals agreed that disclosing their HIV status was difficult due to fear of stigma. Women experience more stigma than men, with 61% of females reporting stigma compared to 38% of males, according to the National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) of 2018.

Gideon Solomon of the Heartland Alliance identified the lack of access to prevention materials such as condoms and pre-exposure prophylaxis (Prep) as factors contributing to the spread of HIV in the state. He encouraged people to get tested, emphasizing that knowing one’s status and following prevention procedures can significantly reduce the risk of infection.

The battle against HIV/AIDS in Akwa Ibom State continues, with a renewed focus on awareness, prevention, and reducing stigma to curb the alarming prevalence rates.