Prevalence of HIV among Patients Patronizing a Private Laboratory in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria

This study was carried out to detect the presence of HIV-1/2 antibodies among patients patronizing Healthwise laboratories in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Two hundred subjects (74 males and 126 females) were used in this study. Samples of blood were collected randomly from Healthwise Laboratories Limited, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria. The samples were collected and processed using standard laboratories procedures. Determine® HIV-1/2 Test cards, Global® HIV-1/2 kits and fourth-generation ELISA-based kits were used in a stepwise order for the detection of HIV-1 and HIV-2 in the blood. The overall prevalence rate of HIV-1/2 was 6.5%. Higher prevalence of HIV was found in the age group 10 years and above (6.6%) and in males (8.1%). Two risk factors (age and gender) relevant to the transmission of HIV were considered. None of the two risk factors seemed to be significantly associated (P > 0.05) with the prevalence of HIV-1/2 antibodies amongst the study population. The present study however, long-established the occurrence of HIV-1 and 2 antibodies in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. HIV can affect all age groups, both males and females. This calls for more concerted HIV prevention and awareness efforts in the state. Intensive health education campaigns and training on HIV prevention and control are advocated.