Nigeria Had Second Largest HIV Epidemic In 2016 — Report

Nigeria had the second largest HIV epidemic in
2016, with over 196,000 adolescents,
representing 10 per cent of the global burden
said to be living with HIV/AIDS, according to a
World Health Report.
The report was given by Esther Samuel, The
Chief Matron, Lagos State Ministry of Health, at
a programme by a Non-governmental
Organisation, Lisa Demi Project, in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Lisa
Demi Project, initiated in the UK, seeks address
the sexual health issues through Talks,
Counselling and Entertainment among others.
The programme, held at the Teslim Balogun
Stadium Surulere, Lagos on Thursday, and title
“Let’s Talk about Our Sexual Health’’, is targeted
at teenagers between the ages 14 to 24.
Speaking on the dangers of unrestrained sexual
activities among the youths, Samuel said the
statistics from the health sector remained a
concern.
Shee said: “Nigeria has the second largest HIV
epidemic. About 3.2 million people Nigerians
were living with HIV in 2016.
“In Nigeria, over 196,000 adolescents,
representing 10 percent of the global burden, are
said to be living with HIV/AIDS.
“Also, 230,000 babies were born by girls aged 15
to 19 in 2015. This is a frightening report.
However, 1 million STIs are acquired every day.”
Relaying the statistics further, Samuel said the
world was groaning under the heavy burden of
sexually transmitted diseases.
She explained: “Each year, there are estimated
357 million new infections, while globally
more than 2 million 10 to 19-year-olds are living
with HIV.
“About one in seven of all new HIV infections
occur during adolescence. In the U.S., 21 per
cent of the adolescents had drunk alcohol or
used drugs before last sexual intercourse.
“About 85 per cent of these youths live in
developing countries, while we also have 32 per
cent of Nigerian population as youths which half
(48.6 per cent) of adolescents aged 15 to 19 are
sexually active.
“About 1 in 5 of sexually active females and 1 in
12 sexually active males had already engaged in
sexual intercourse by the age of 15.’’
Samuel said that the alarming statistics should
call for urgent action so as not to lose the bulk
of the productive population to untreatable
diseases such as STDs and STIs.
She said: “These are real figures which should
bring something to our mind and it is no other
thing than fear, and a call to action, especially
among our youths.
“Our youths must be cautioned to refrain and
advise. They all need to be guided not to waste
their lives on what is worth waiting for.
“The youths should start to avoid something they
call a little thing that does not matter but are
sexual behaviours such as kissing, keeping
secret friendships and others.
“We should focus on health education and STI
prevention through school seminars, clubs, social
media, parents, peer groups and proper
counseling when STDs are detected early.”
NAN reports that the event has in attendance
over 1,000 students drawn from schools in
Lagos.