Access Lagos Marathon HIV 2020 Report Updated
RACE TO ACCESS BANK LAGOS CITY MARATHON 2020 ENDHIV COUNSELLING AND TESTINGHIV A RACE AGAINST HIV ACCESS MARATHON 2020 ACCESS BANK LAGOS CITY MARATHON 2020 HIV COUNSELLING AND TESTING EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Nigeria had the second-largest HIV epidemic in the world and one of the highest rates of new infection in sub-Saharan Africa. Many people living with HIV in Nigeria are also unaware of their status. In 2018 an estimated 1.9 million people were living with HIV in Nigeria, with only 67% of them aware of their status (UNAIDS, 2019). According to the National HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS), there is some progress in ending HIV in Nigeria; HIV prevalence reduced nationally from 2.8% in 2017 to 1.4% in 2018, and HIV counselling and testing sites and treat- ment sites have increased. However, there is also an increase in the number of new cases, particularly among young people, especially girls aged 20-24. Factors that have in�uenced increased HIV vulnerability among young people include lack of adequate knowledge on HIV, poor access to sexual and reproductive health information, early sexual debut amongst others. HIV counselling and testing is the gateway to care, treatment and support for persons in need. It gives those who are negative the opportunity to change behaviours that may put them at risk of the infection in future, and it links those who are positive to care. Unfortunately, there are still many barriers to testing for HIV, including fear, discrimination, stigmati- sation and issues with con�dentiality. To overcome this, we increase discussion on and provision of HIV testing.
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