Sero-epidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Plateau State, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Previous sentinel surveys of HIV in Nigeria studied pregnant women attending antenatal care, thereby omitting other important high-risk groups. We therefore investigated the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in low- and high-risk populations in the state of Plateau, Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: Blood samples were collected by venepuncture from 5,021 adults aged ≥ 15 years between August and October 2008. At least one major town and one rural community were selected in each Local Government Area (LGA). Samples were initially screened with a rapid HIV testing kit; reactive samples were further tested using Stat Pak. Discordant samples were confirmed using Genie-II. RESULTS: Of 5,021 subjects screened, 245 (4.88%) were seropositive. Local Government prevalence ranged from 0.68% in Bassa to 16.07% in Jos North. On average, LGAs in the Southern Senatorial Zone had higher rates. Most (over 80%) positive cases were younger than 40 years. Females had a significantly higher (6.85%) prevalence than males (2.72%). Age-specific prevalence was higher among females aged 25 to 29 years (2.09%). Risk factors identified for acquisition of HIV infection were previous history of STDs (6, 16.28%); men having sex with men (2, 11.76%); having multiple sexual partners (97; 10.49%); intravenous drug use (10, 7.58%); sharing of sharp objects (20, 4.82%); and history of blood transfusion (21, 3.65%). CONCLUSION: The seemingly higher prevalence recorded in this survey could be attributed to the inclusion of high- and low-risk groups in the general population, unlike previous reports which studied only antenatal care attendees. This survey provides useful baseline information for further studies.

Sero-Epidemiology of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Plateau State; Nigeria

Introduction: Previous sentinel surveys of HIV in Nigeria studied pregnant women attending antenatal care; thereby omitting other important high-risk groups. We therefore investigated the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in low- and high-risk populations in the state of Plateau; Nigeria. Methodology: Blood samples were collected by venepuncture from 5;021 adults aged ?15 years between August and October 2008. At least one major town and one rural community were selected in each Local Government Area (LGA). Samples were initially screened with a rapid HIV testing kit; reactive samples were further tested using Stat Pak. Discordant samples were confirmed using Genie-II. Results: Of 5;021 subjects screened; 245 (4.88) were seropositive. Local Government prevalence ranged from 0.68 in Bassa to 16.07 in Jos North. On average; LGAs in the Southern Senatorial Zone had higher rates. Most (over 80) positive cases were younger than 40 years. Females had a significantly higher (6.85) prevalence than males (2.72). Age-specific prevalence was higher among females aged 25 to 29 years (2.09). Risk factors identified for acquisition of HIV infection were previous history of STDs (6; 16.28); men having sex with men (2; 11.76); having multiple sexual partners (97; 10.49); intravenous drug use (10; 7.58); sharing of sharp objects (20; 4.82); and history of blood transfusion (21; 3.65). Conclusion: The seemingly higher prevalence recorded in this survey could be attributed to the inclusion of high- and low-risk groups in the general population; unlike previous reports which studied only antenatal care attendees. This survey provides useful baseline information for further studies

Seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type-2 among patients attending the Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic in Jos, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Infection with Herpes Simplex Virus Type-2 (HSV-2) is the primary cause of genital herpes and the most common cause of genital ulcer disease (GUD) worldwide.  There is little information on the prevalence of HSV-2 in Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: Specimens were collected from 162 volunteers attending Jos University Teaching Hospital and tested for HSV-2 antibodies using HSV-2 Type specific IgG EIA test kit (Globalemed LLC Alexandria VA, USA). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 13.0. P values ≤ 0.05 were considered significant number. RESULTS: Out of the 162 individuals tested, 141 (87.0%) were HSV-2 positive. Infected individuals were more likely to be male than female (92.8% versus 86.4%; P > 0.05). There were high rates of infection in all age groups, and the prevalence increased with age. However, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HSV-2 prevalence was not significantly associated with increasing age, sex, marital status, occupation, educational status, and number of sex partners (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight the potential public health impact of HSV-2 in Nigeria where anti-HSV-2 testing is not generally performed in all populations, especially considering the risk of neonatal transmission and the attendant complications at birth.

Human immunonodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus: sero-prevalence, co-infection and risk factors among prison inmates in Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Published data on HIV, HBV, and HCV in correctional facilities in Nigeria is scarce. We set out to establish the seroprevalence, co-infection, and risk factors for these infections for the first time among prison inmates in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: In a cross-sectional study conducted between April and May, 2007, blood samples were collected from 300 male prisoners of a mean age of 29.2 years, in the state's four medium-security prisons (overall population: 587). Prior to the study, ethical clearance and informed consent were obtained and structured questionnaires were administered. Samples were analyzed for HIV, HBsAg, and HCV using anti-HIV 1+2-EIA-avicenna, Shantest-HBsAg ELISA, and anti-HCV-EIA-avicenna, respectively. Specimens initially reactive for HIV were retested with vironostika microelisa. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 13.0. P values < or = 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Of the 300 subjects, 54 (18.0 %), 69 (23.0 %), and 37 (12.3 %) tested positive for HIV, HBV, and HCV, respectively. Co-infections were eight (2.7 %) for HIV/HBV and two (0.7 %) for HBV/HCV. Those aged 21-26 years were more likely to be infected with HIV and HBV, while those aged 33-38 years had the highest HCV infection. Associated risk factors included duration in prison, previous incarceration (for HIV, HBV and HCV), intra-prison anal sex, multiple sex partners (for HIV and HBV), ignorance of transmission modes, blood transfusion, and alcohol consumption (for HBV and HCV). No inmate injected drugs. CONCLUSIONS: The overall outcome represents the need for prison-focused intervention initiatives in Nigeria. Injected drug use is an unlikely major transmission mode among Nigerian inmates.

Human immunonodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus: sero-prevalence, co-infection and risk factors among prison inmates in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Background: Published data on HIV; HBV; and HCV in correctional facilities in Nigeria is scarce. We set out to establish the seroprevalence; co-infection; and risk factors for these infections for the first time among prison inmates in Nasarawa State; Nigeria. Methodology: In a cross-sectional study conducted between April and May; 2007; blood samples were collected from 300 male prisoners of a mean age of 29.2 years; in the state's four medium-security prisons (overall population: 587). Prior to the study; ethical clearance and informed consent were obtained and structured questionnaires were administered. Samples were analyzed for HIV; HBsAg; and HCV using anti-HIV 1 +2-EIA- avicenna; ShantestTM-HBsAg ELISA; and anti-HCV-EIA-avicenna; respectively. Specimens initially reactive for HIV were retested with vironostika microelisa. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 13.0. P values = 0.05 were considered significant. Results: Of the 300 subjects; 54 (18.0); 69 (23.0); and 37 (12.3) tested positive for HIV; HBV; and HCV; respectively. Co-infections were eight (2.7) for HIV/HBV and two (0.7) for HBV/HCV. Those aged 21-26 years were more likely to be infected with HIV and HBV; while those aged 33-38 years had the highest HCV infection. Associated risk factors included duration in prison; previous incarceration (for HIV; HBV and HCV); intra-prison anal sex; multiple sex partners (for HIV and HBV); ignorance of transmission modes; blood transfusion; and alcohol consumption (for HBV and HCV). No inmate injected drugs. Conclusions: The overall outcome represents the need for prison-focused intervention initiatives in Nigeria. Injected drug use is an unlikely major transmission mode among Nigerian inmates