By Ekemini Akpan
A non governmental organization, AVAC has called on Government, donor agencies and individuals to pay more attention to HIV/AIDS preventive measures.
The sensitisation which was to create awareness on the different approved preventive measures for HIV was done by AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC) in collaboration with Heartland Alliance LTD/GTE.
Speaking during the sensitisation, the lead person, Ms Josephine Aseme brought to limelight the different biomedical preventive measures which has been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Aseme made it known that one of the major reasons the sensitisation was brought to Akwa Ibom State was as a result of the high prevalence in the State.
Josephine revealed that apart from abstinence and condoms, they were other ways people who are sexually active could remain negative. Drugs and tools were available which prevents people from getting the HIV virus. The five preventive measures she mentioned includes; Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis(PrEP), Long-Acting Injectable PrEP, Dapivirine Vaginal Ring and the Injectable Long-Acting Cabotegraver(CAB LA).
The AVAC fellow divulged the essence of the media roundtable was to sensitised the media who will in turn using their various platforms to create awareness on this preventive measures and it availability in the State.
"We call on Media organizations to use their different platforms to create awareness of the available service delivery points.
"The donor agencies and NGOs have done their part in endorsing this newly approved biomedical preventive drugs and tools. Government should step in and ensure the availability of these preventive drugs. Allocation should also be made available for this preventive options".
Also speaking, the representative of Heartland Alliance LTD/GTE, Mr. Micheal Akanji confirmed that Akwa Ibom State was leading in the HIV/AIDS prevalence in Nigeria.
He made it known that HIV/AIDS prevalence was high among adolescents, transgenders, men sleeping with men(MSM) and sex workers. According to the research data he made available, Akwa Ibom State leads in the HIV/AIDS prevalence in Nigeria with 5.5%, and Mbo Local Government Area has the highest rate of prevalence in the State.
As at 2019, 100% per day trends in new infections were recorded in adolescents between the age range of 15-19 and among 65% of married men who were MSM.
Micheal pointed out one of the ignored ways HIV/AIDS was contacted as voluntary male circumcision. Also, due to societal pressure, most females resort to anal sex as a means of preserving their virginity and this also leads to contacting the virus.
He also emphasized on the high prevalence among sex workers staying in brothels as 19.4%, non-brothel based sex workers 8.6% and men sleeping with men who might also be married to women had the alarming percentage of 22.9%.
Akanji revealed that 14000 sex workers have been reached and about 200000 MSM haven't been reached. Drug addicts and people who have been released from correctional facilities are yet to be reached.
