Incidence, prevalence, impact of HIV infections among older persons in Nigeria

Elias O. Wahab, Lagos State University

Due to the paucity of data on HIV infection among the older persons, the burden of this disease is almost always ignored, thus representing a significant blind spot in the fight against the disease. Individuals 50yrs & above account for 10% of the cumulative HIV infection in the USA, same is unknown for Nigeria. This study intends to elicit required database. Data sources include UNAIDS, DHS, World Population prospects and Cross sectional study. Data are derived from mathematical, demographic projection models and cross-sectional study. Data analyzed estimation model, time series analysis, chi-square and logistic regression among others. The study found that 1/3 of a million of older persons representing 2.1% of the total Nigerian population have HIV compared to above 2millions of those aged 15-49 (3.1 % of the population). Need of the older persons must be integrated into HIV responses.