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Only change of behavior can stem HIV/AIDS scourge, institute declares

Published

11 years ago

December 2, 2015

The Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN), has identified behavioural change as the surest way to end HIV/AIDs in the country by 2030.

Mr. Ngozi Ajaero, IHVN Programme Officer, disclosed this while conducting free HIV/AIDs Counseling and Testing on Tuesday in Lugbe, FCT, to mark the World Aids Day tagged: “Getting to Zero, Ending HIV/AIDs in Nigeria by 2030”.

Ajaero said the team had so far tested over 130 persons, and that out of the number, only one person tested positive, He attributed the success to the behaviour of the people.

“So far, we have gotten only one person that is reactive, which shows that people are taking the whole issue seriously.

“It is very obvious that people are behaving very well, so it is all about behavioural change and people are really changing from their usual attitude that exposes them to HIV/AIDs in order to achieve zero prevalence.

“The truth about HIV/AIDs is that even if somebody is reactive or positive today and the person is placed on care and starts taking the drugs, he will be able to suppress the viral load and the chances of transmitting it to another person would be lessened.

Speaking to newsmen, Mrs. Bola Taju, who was tested negative said she had been eager to know her status.

Taju urged all Nigerians who had yet to know their status to avail themselves of the opportunity to prevent spreading the virus.