By John Ikani
Latest report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicate that the percentage of women living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria increased between 2016 and 2019.
The report which is tagged; “2020 statistical report on women and men in Nigeria” was published by the NBS on August 25, 2021.
According to the report, the percentage of women living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria increased between 2016 and 2019 while that of men decreased within the same period.
The report noted that the percentage of women with the infection increased from 53.1 per cent in 2016 to 55.5 in 2017, 55.83 in 2018 and 56.03 per cent in 2019.
However, the percentage of men with the infection decreased from 46.9 per cent in 2016 to 44.5, 44.17 and 43.97 per cent in 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively.
It added that about 1.9 million people under the age of 64 are living with HIV in the country.
The report went on to note that although the infection rates amongst women increased between 2016-2019, the use of antiretroviral treatment by them declined.
What you should know
Since early 1980s, HIV/AIDS has been a critical health issue for women and men in Nigeria.
NBS is the apex statistical agency responsible for the development and management of official statistics in Nigeria.
The agency said the data included in the publication were “carefully and systematically collected, compiled, processed and analysed from a wide variety of primary and administrative data sources across the National Statistical System”.
It also said the data should serve as a useful resource for policy makers at all levels and the public.
