HMD 411: HIV/AIDS EDUCATION

DR O. A. ADEKEYE
EXAMINER
August 24, 2016
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the
causative agent of AIDS (acquired
immunodeficiency disease syndrome) and is
found in all cases of the disease. Its primary
target is the activated CD4+ T4 helper
lymphocyte but it can also infect several
other cell types
Concept of HIV/AIDS
HIV is the disease that destroys the body’s fighting
immune system. It slowly but severely damages the
body’s immune system thereby making the person
susceptible to any infection that the immune system
would have ordinarily dealt with.
HIV/AIDS
AIDS is the state of complete destruction of the
body’s immune system. It is the most dreaded
condition in the world today and it affects people of
all ages.

Any depletion in numbers of CD4 cells renders the

body susceptible to opportunistic infections
HIV/AIDS in Nigeria
AIDS first recognized in the US around 1981

HIV retrovirus discovered 1983

Nigeria has third largest PLHA (SA & India)

First case reported in 1986 of a 13 yr old girl in Lagos

Leading cause of death in Africa

85% heterosexual transmission worldwide

 HIV in Nigeria

It is estimated that about 3.8 million people are

living with HIV in Nigeria which implies that 1 in 7
African living with HIV is a Nigerian. 16000 new
cases occurs everyday in the world.
 HIV/AIDS EDUCATION
• AIDS is caused by HIV and for the virus to
attack a person’s immune system, it has to
enter the blood stream. Research suggests
three primary ways through which this may
happen
Transmission of HIV
1. Through sexual intercourse-this includes both
heterosexual and homosexual coitus

2. Directly into the blood stream through contaminated blood

or blood products or sharing of sharp objects including
intravenous injecting equipments

3. From mother to child transmission (MTCT)

Other Transmission Routes
Vaginal Secretion

Deep-tongue kiss

Accidental Pricking at Health centres

Tattoos or body piercing

ABC Model

A= Abstain

B= Be Faithful

C= Use Condoms

HIV Prevention
Others
Vulnerability
The vulnerable group includes:

Young people

Itinerant business men and women

Long distance drivers

Military personnel

Women and girls

Out of school youths

Sex workers and their clients

Men having sex with men (MSM)
Prisoners
Refugees/Internally displaced persons
Migrants
Mobile workers (Marketers)
 Factors Driving the Spread of HIV

Overpopulation
Cultural Rites of Passage
Unemployment

Low level of Education Violence

Gender Discrimination
War
Experimentation
Displacement
Early Sexual initiation

Poverty Ignorance

Cultural Practices
Inadequate Sex Education
Family Separation