UNODC Report: HIV Prevalence in Nigerian Prisons, Twice National Average

Although Nigeria appears to be edging closer to controlling the HIV epidemic, inmates in Nigerian prisons are two times more likely to be living with the virus than people in the community, a National HIV Assessment study conducted by the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), has revealed

The study was under the leadership of the National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA) and in cooperation with the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), the Federal Ministry of Health, Heartland Alliance International and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

The study which was a segment component of the broader Nigeria HIV and AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS), was conducted among 2,511 people in prison with the aim to provide reliable data on prevalence of HIV/ AIDS and tuberculosis as well as on the availability of health services in prisons.

According to the study, the prevalence in prisons was 2.8 per cent compared to 1.4 per cent in the general population.

Covering twelve prisons across the six geopolitical zones of the country, the finding indicated that HIV prevalence was more than twice higher among women (6.9 per cent).

Generally, older people are more likely to live with HIV and tuberculosis and close to one out of six women aged 45 years or older is living with HIV.

Among the study population, 28 per cent of women and 76 per cent of men reported that consensual sex happened while in prison, it stated.

Injecting drug use is another highrisk factor and the study estimated that 2.5 per cent of people in prisons inject drugs.

This figure was up to 25 times higher than in the general population, according to a recent UNODC survey on drug use in Nigeria.

HIV and tuberculosis prevalence differ by regions.

Prisons in the North Central region had the highest HIV prevalence (7.1 per cent) while prisons in the Southern regions had the highest positive tuberculosis cases, with 71 per cent in South-South region and 63 per cent in South-East region.

Implementing prevention interventions in prison setting appear crucial, as well as improving the availability and quality of health services.

Less than 66 per cent of the respondents reported the availability of HIV testing, hepatitis prevention and treatment, sexual and reproductive health services and any harm reduction services.

Only 37 per cent of respondents were satisfied with the quality of services received at the prison health facility.

"Keeping communities at the centre of the HIV response, especially the most vulnerable and marginalised, such as people in prisons and other closed settings, is among the surest ways for Nigeria to leave no one behind in ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030," said Dr. Erasmus Morah.

Underscoring the importance of the study by UNODC, Morah pointed out that, according to the new UNAIDS global AIDS update report, titled " Communities at the Centre", launched in Eshowe, South Africa on Tuesday, 16 July 2019 by the Executive Director, a.i. of UNAIDS, Gunilla Carlsson, key populations and their sexual partners now account for more than half (54 per cent) of new HIV infections globally.

Key populations include people who inject drugs, gay men and other men who have sex with men, transgender people, sex workers and prisoners. According to the report, less than 50 per cent of key populations were reached in 2018 with combination HIV prevention services in more than half of the countries that reported data.