Incidence and Demographic Distribution of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Biu, Borno State - Nigeria.
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Date
2012-02-01
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Nigerian Journal of Parasitology
Abstract
The growing concern over the increasing epidemics of HIV/AIDS in the country as well as the non-quantified disease burden in Biu, Borno State, necessitated this study, which established the incidence and demography factors associated with the disease using a survey conducted between July and December, 2010. A total of 487 sera collected from patients attending Abbott Medical Centre were screened using rapid chromatographic immunoassay, and the concurrent administration of structured questionnaires during specimen collection was analyzed. Out of the total patients screened, 201 (41.3%) were HIV positive, 63 (13.3%) were men, 138 (68.7%) were females, and the highest infection rate (46.8%) occurred in patients between ages 21 and 40. This age and sex distribution was statistically significant (P > 0.01) by the chi-square test. This finding confirms the endemicity of HIV and the associated social, economic, and cultural factors contributing to the spread of HIV, which identified socio-professional and marital types and levels of education as most significant attributes. Active surveillance through HIV counseling, screening, and testing of all patients visiting any health center should be intensified, in addition to empowering women to negotiate for safer sex.
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Keywords
Incidence, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Chromatographic immunoassay, demography, Biu, Borno State.