Indications emerged on Thursday that Ogun State has the second highest prevalence rate of Human Immuno Virus (HIV) in the South-West zone of the country.

It was gathered that the prevalence increased from 1.5 percent in 2003 to 3.1 percent in 2010.

Disclosing this at the Dissemination of Ogun State HIV/AIDS Epidemiological and Sexual Behavioural Survey Findings in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Programme Manager, Enhancing Nigeria’s Response to HIV/AIDS (ENR), Mrs Foluke Omoworare, noted that prevalence of HIV was slightly higher in urban areas than rural areas.

She noted that the prevalence of HIV in urban areas was 3.8 percent compared to rural areas with 1.7 percent.

Omoworare said that Ijebu-Ode had the highest prevalence rate of the virus with five percent, while Ayetoro recorded the lowest rate at 1.3 per cent.

She said the objective of the exercise was to contribute towards efforts to understand the epidemic and HIV prevention and response in the state.

According to her, it would help the state improve on the scope, relevance and comprehensiveness of its HIV prevention efforts.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Olaokun Soyinka, urged stakeholders to ensure effective sensitisation on HIV/AIDS in the state and environ.

The commisioner decried low knowledge of HIV/AIDS by the people of the state.

He noted that the State Specific AIDS, Reproductive and Child Health (SPARC) survey which was conducted in 2011 would, henceforth, be conducted every two years.

Dr Soyinka added that the survey would, among others, provide monitoring and evaluation data for the state health and HIV/AIDS programme.

The Director, Ogun State Action Committee on AIDS, Dr Ranti Oladeinde, while summarizing the SPARC findings, stated that stigma and discrimination still remained high, while knowledge of HIV/AIDS stayed low.

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