HIV Prevalence: Akwa Ibom Ranks Highest With 5.5 Percent

MONDAY March 3, 2025 |TheNewsDESK
www.thenewsdesk.ng

By Udeme UTIP

Again, Akwa Ibom has been ranked one of the highest HIV prevalence at 5.5%, even as it contributes 12% of the TB cases in Nigeria.

The ranking follows a comprehensive situational analysis conducted under the Gender Equality Fund (GEF) project by Lawyers Alert in collaboration with Media Health Right (MHR), which also shows malaria as a leading cause of morbidity, particularly among pregnant women and children under five in the state.

The findings which unveil pressing gender-related barriers hindering women’s access to healthcare services for Tuberculosis (TB), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Malaria in Akwa Ibom State, underscore systemic inequalities, cultural norms, economic constraints, and policy gaps that continue to obstruct women’s right to equitable healthcare.

In a press statement issued at the end of a Zoom parley with media partners in Uyo at the weekend, the President, Lawyers Alert, Dr. Rommy Mom said the survey report underscores systemic inequalities, cultural norms, economic constraints, and policy gaps that continue to obstruct women’s right to equitable healthcare services and called for urgent need to address Gender disparities in TB, HIV, and Malaria Response for Women and the vulnerable in the State.

“Akwa Ibom State has consistently recorded one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in Nigeria, with co-infection of TB further complicating the situation.

“Additionally, malaria remains a leading cause of illness and death, particularly among pregnant women and children under five, despite ongoing interventions, barriers such as stigma, gender inequality, and limited healthcare infrastructure continue to hinder progress.

“This analysis identifies critical policy gaps, gender disparities in healthcare access, and the urgent need for community-driven advocacy to address these challenges. The findings emphasize the necessity of strengthening healthcare systems and enhancing community engagement to tackle stigma and discrimination”. The president explained.

Endorsed by Dr. Rommy Mom and MHR-Alu Azege, President of Lawyers Alert and MHR respectively, the statement noted challenges identified to include the fact that women particularly face significant barriers, such as; economic dependency, stigma, and caregiving responsibilities, which limit their ability to access timely healthcare services.

“Stigma associated with HIV and TB discourages women from seeking care, while cultural and religious beliefs often lead to reliance on traditional remedies over modern healthcare.

“The frequent stockouts of TB medications, inadequate diagnostic tools, and poor healthcare infrastructure, especially in rural areas, also hinder effective service delivery”. He noted.

Considering the lack of healthcare gender-sensitive frameworks, which leads to fragmented interventions and limited impact on women’s health outcomes, the organization recommends among other things that; healthcare systems should integrate TB, HIV, and Malaria services into a single, comprehensive care framework to improve resource utilization and ensure holistic care for patients with co-existing conditions.

Also, provision of economic support and empowerment programs for women to reduce financial dependency and improve access to healthcare should be prioritised, even as capacity of women-led organizations and community health champions should be strengthened to advocate for gender-sensitive healthcare and challenge harmful cultural norms.