Correlates of HIV prevalence among key population in Nigeria

Abstract

There has been improvement in the control of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. The 2018 national prevalence was 1.4%, a decline from previous surveys. The gains are however not uniform; a gap still exists in the response to key populations (KP) due to socio-cultural barriers and unfavourable legislative environment. The demographic correlates of HIV among KP in Nigeria were examined. Society for Family Health provided HIV Testing services for KP and data from the intervention between 2019 and 2020 was analysed using SPSS version 20. Total of 132,838 were tested, 88.4% were 20-39 years, 65.6% were females and 63.5% were female sex workers (FSW). HIV positive KP were 7,962 (6.0% prevalence), prevalence of HIV was high among those ≥40 years, KP identified as males and men who have sex with men (MSM; p<0.001). Old age (aOR=0.82, 95%CI=0.73 – 0.92), male KP (aOR=1.17, 95%CI=1.11 – 1.22), and MSM (aOR=0.64, 95%CI=0.61 – 0.67) were predictors of HIV positivity. Stakeholders should rethink priorities and strategies in addressing HIV epidemic in the country. Key words: Key population, HIV testing services, HIV epidemic, female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM), global fund.