No fewer than 20, 827 people are living with HIV in Ogun as the state still tops the ladder of HIV prevalence in the Southwest region.
This was made known by the Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, Dr. Tomi Coker in Abeokuta at a press conference on the 2020 World AIDS Day with the theme “United to end AIDS in the midst of COVID – 19.”
The Commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Hospital Management Board, Dr Nafiu Aigoro, said 105 positive cases of the HIV were recorded in the state during the COVID – 19 lockdown.
Noting that the Ogun State tops the ladder of HIV prevalence in the south-west with a rate of 1.6 percent, Dr Coker attributed the development to poverty, low literacy level, stigma and discrimination, low political will, low use of condom and risky sexual behaviour.
She also blamed the prevalence on the state’s proximity to the international borders as well as the influx of people into the state from Lagos and other states for commercial purposes.
Coker said “The first case of HIV and AIDS in Ogun State was reported in 1990. In 1999, when the first HIV/AIDS zero-prevalence sentinel survey was carried out the prevalence rate was 2.5 percent.
“In 2001, it rose to 3.5 percent and recorded a drop in 2003 to 1.5 percent and a rise again to 3.6 percent in 2005. In 2008, it dropped to 1.7 percent in 2010, it was 3.1 percent, in 2012 (NARHS) the prevalence was 2.9 percent.
“Ogun State presently has a prevalence rate of 1.6 percent (NAIIS 2018). This is noted to be above the national prevalence (1.4percent) and is also the highest in the Southwest.”
The commissioner who added that 49,211 persons have been counselled, tested and given results out of which 105 were tested positive” despite the COVID – 19 pandemic, vowed that the state would not allow the fight against COVID – 19 to overshadow the effort to get rid of the HIV/AIDS.
