Human immunodeficiency virus infection in a rural community of plateau state: effective control measures still a nightmare?

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to find out the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Zawan village as well as their socio-cultural practices that promote its spread. METHODS: Three hundred subjects were recruited into the study comprising 193 males and 107 females by a simple random sampling method. A structured questionnaire was administered to each respondent and 5mls of blood collected and assayed for anit-HIV antibodies. The results were analysed using statistical software Epi-Info version 6, P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The prevalence of HIV in Zawan village was found to be 8.3% (25 out of 300) and the significant risk factors noted were--use of sharp objects, trading and the divorce/separated group, (P < 0.05). Other factors such as tattooing, male circumcision by traditional method and tonsillectomy were not found to be statistically associated with HIV infection in this community, (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: HIV is still causing serious devastation in our rural communities. Hence government should supply affordable antiretroviral drugs to our rural dwellers, step up public enlightenment campaign and pursue with vigour the present micro-economic revival policies to alleviate abject poverty in our rural communities.