Seroprevalence of HIV among unemployed individuals undergoing pre-employment medical examination in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is highly endemic in Nigeria, particularly with the prevalence in 2001 at 5.8%. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of HIV among unemployed individuals undergoing pre-employment medical examination in Port Harcourt. HIV screening was performed on 868 individuals comprising 373 males and 495 females presenting to the University of Port Harcourt for the purpose of pre-employment medical examination using a double ELISA confirmatory test of Immunocomb and Genscreen HIV 1 & 2 kits. The sero-prevalence rate was 27/868 (3.19%) among the total population. HIV seroprevalence was relatively higher among females 18/495 (3.6%) compared to males 9/373 (2.4%). The highest prevalence was found in the <19 years age group 7/135 (5.1%) and lowest in the 40-49 years age group 3/130 (2.3%), although the difference was not statistically significant (chi2 = 4.86, p = 0. 09). The highest prevalence occurred among separated subjects 2/26 (7.7%) compared to singles 18/460 (3.9%) and married subjects 7/382 (1.8%). This study indicates a 3.1% prevalence of HIV infection among unemployed individuals studied and calls for urgent and concerted efforts aimed at promoting behavioural, cultural and social changes that will reverse the current trend in the prevalence of HIV among Nigerians.