Gom Mirian
An epidemiologist, Samuel Nwafoa, has revealed that 38 percent of key populations in Nigeria, such as female sex workers, transgender individuals, and people who inject drugs, are infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
This means that out of every 100 individuals in these groups, an alarming 38 are living with the virus.
Nwafoa, a technical supporter of the University of Maryland Bauchi Group, disclosed this information during a three-day training session aimed at improving data collection and estimation practices related to key population size in Bauchi State.
The training session, organised by the Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV and AIDS (BACATMA), addressed the urgent need for accurate information and understanding regarding the size and dynamics of key populations affected by HIV.
Nwafoa emphasised the importance of counting and understanding these populations, stating, “They are citizens of Nigeria.”
The Acting Director of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Control at BACATMA, Lumana Caleb-Sadiq, highlighted the gaps in Nigeria’s intervention for HIV/AIDS, particularly among key populations who do not access general public health facilities.
He stressed the need to go closer to these populations, understand their actual numbers, and provide tailored health services that suit their cultural context.
Caleb-Sadiq added, “If we don’t stop the breeding of the infection from them, then it means we will be working and some people will be sabotaging it.”
