A Rapid Situation Assessment of Alcohol in Relation to Sexual Behaviour in Lagos, Nigeria

Overview

The prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria has been rising with every national sentinel survey conducted in the country. It rose from 1.8% in 1991 through 3.8% and 4.5% in 1993 and 1995 respectively to 5.4% and 5.8% in 1999 and 2001 respectively (Federal Ministry of Health sero-sentinel report, 2001). The prevalence of HIV in the 1995 survey among sex workers (34.2%) and STD patients (15.1%) were higher than the national average (5.4%) (Federal Ministry of Health Technical Report, 1999). With these findings the country has crossed the 5% mark, and is believed to have the 2nd largest number of HIV/AIDS cases in Africa (2.6 million). Understanding and determining the nature and socio-cultural driving force behind the epidemic in the country is important if adequate and effective interventions are to be formulated. These can only be achieved through studies targeted at identified risk groups and behaviours. Such groups include alcohol and other drug users, commercial sex workers (CSWs) and STD patients. Although many studies have been reported in Nigeria on alcohol and drug use, (Asuni, 1964, Lawal et al 1998), very little has so far been reported on the relationship between alcohol and HIV infection in the country. This is in spite of findings in other countries pointing to an association between alcohol and other drug use, sexual activity and sexual behavior (Burcham et al, 1989; Chesney et al, 1998).