title: Preliminary Report on HIV-1 Vaccine Preparedness in Nigeria: Advantages of Recruiting University Students.
abstract: The national HIV seroprevalence in Nigeria has risen steeply from about 3% in 1993 to 5-8% in 2001 and now stands at 4.4%. HIV epidemic continues to be a serious threat to the most populous country in Africa with a population of 140 million, with limited use of antiviral drugs that is taken for life since it only suppresses the virus without completely eliminating the virus or leading to cure. Only a change in social behavior and an affordable vaccine can halt the epidemic in Africa. We report here results of a pilot study on the recruitment strategies, sociodemographic aspects and HIV risk behavior of a cohort of normal volunteers recruited at the University of Jos, Nigeria. Our study recorded a high degree of interest and zeal to participate in HIV vaccine studies by volunteers, and demonstrated the superiority of snowballing over invitation by mail, as a recruitment strategy. A cohort of university students may be particularly suitable for conducting HIV vaccine trials because of the assurance of prospective follow-up for up to four years (time to graduation), and a good understanding of the risks and benefits of participation as outlined in the informed consent. We had 100% retention during a follow-up period of two years. Most importantly, the cohort reflected a relatively low HIV seroprevalence, which gives preventive programs the potential to blunt or halt the epidemic.
authors: Laboratory of Leishmaniasis and AIDS, Department of Zoology, University of Jos, P.M.B 2084, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
authors: Abigail
authors: A
authors: Edubio
authors: Laboratory of Leishmaniasis and AIDS, Department of Zoology, University of Jos, P.M.B 2084, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Agwale
authors: School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Bulterys
authors: Plateau State Human Virology Research Center (PLASVIREC), Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos, Nigeria.
authors: Dadik
authors: D
authors: Jelpe
authors: Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, P.M.B 2084 Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Idoko
authors: Department of Chemical Pathoglogy, University of Jos, P.M.B 2084 Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Isichei
authors: Institute of Education, University of Jos, P.M.B 2084 Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
authors: Ruth
authors: R
authors: Guyit
authors: Division of Epidemiology and Prevention, Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA.
authors: Alash'le
authors: A
authors: Abimiku