One of the students showcasing a banner depicting ways of HIV prevention during the event
By Victoria Onehi
To reduce the prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection amongst adolescents and young people, some Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and health-based organisations have taken the awareness about the virus to the University of Abuja.
The OraQuick Campus Storm which held last Saturday was organised as a collaboration between the Student Union Government (SUG) of University of Abuja, John Snow Research and Training Institute, OrasureTechnologies, Mozuk Mediequip and Heartland Alliance.
Product Manager, Mozuk Mediequip, Pharmacist Harry Omoakhia who spoke to Journalists after the event said they were in the school to promote HIV self-testing among adolescents and young people and also provide correct information on HIV prevention and control to adolescents and young people (AYP) on campus.
He said, “We want young people to know that there is HIV and there is a high rate of new cases amongst adolescents and young people. In Nigeria, data from National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) states that HIV prevalence among adolescents aged 15–19 is estimated to be 2.9%, while among young people aged 20–24, the prevalence is 3.2%. In addition, up to 34.1% of new HIV infections in Nigeria occur among adolescents and young adults. Despite a high incidence of HIV among this group, testing for HIV among this population is low.
“To spread the word about HIV due to these new infections, we have to create more awareness amongst young people, and one of the ways to prevent HIV is to test. If you test and you are negative, you remain negative. If you are positive, there are treatment for you to live a normal life.”He explains.
Omoakhia said they have observed that young people feel reluctant testing for HIV in hospitals and clinics, hence the need for oral fluid-based HIV self-test.”OraQuick is a self-testing kit they can use in their closet to test for HIV and get results just as you have kits to test for pregnancy.The oral-based test can help you test because we have found out that young people feel reluctant to go for test in traditional settings like hospitals because of stigmatisation. So,self-testing is an additional method.” He said.
Speaking during the talk show, the Market Development and Policy Adviser John Snow Incorporated (JSI) Nigeria, Mr Augustine Ajijilek listed the three ABCs of HIV prevention. “The ‘A’ stands for abstinence, the ‘ B’ stands for Being faithful to your partner, and the ‘C’ stands for use of Condom. We encourage young persons to adhere to these three preventive measures as about 90 percent of HIV infection in Nigeria is through sexual intercourse.” He said.
Ajijilek also addressed myths/misconceptions around HIV transmission, one of which is that HIV can be gotten through kissing. He said HIV cannot be transmitted through kissing, but a possibility may exist if both parties have an injury and one of them is infected.
Ajijilek advised the students to use the HIV self-testing kit to know their status adding that HIV ST kits are available in community pharmacies, health facilities, and related stores.
Saviour Edet, a Political Science student of the University said one of the things he learnt was how to avoid getting the virus.”I have learnt ways like abstinence, not using unsterilised products. For me the best way is abstinence which is to avoid sex until marriage. My advice to fellow young people is to stay away from unprotected sex because 90 percent of HIV infection in Nigeria is through sexual intercourse.”
The Student Union Government (SUG) President at the University of Abuja, Bashir Abdullahi Mamman said the student community have benefited from the programme immensely hence he thanked everyone who contributed to the success of the programme.
“I believe this awareness on HIV prevention is going to help our students to a very reasonable extent. During the talkshow, you could see that the students were learning new things and the enlightenment helped them in the areas they were misinformed.” Mamman said.
