title: Sero-epidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Plateau State, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous sentinel surveys of HIV in Nigeria studied pregnant women attending antenatal care, thereby omitting other important high-risk groups. We therefore investigated the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in low- and high-risk populations in the state of Plateau, Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples were collected by venepuncture from 5,021 adults aged ≥ 15 years between August and October 2008. At least one major town and one rural community were selected in each Local Government Area (LGA). Samples were initially screened with a rapid HIV testing kit; reactive samples were further tested using Stat Pak. Discordant samples were confirmed using Genie-II.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 5,021 subjects screened, 245 (4.88%) were seropositive. Local Government prevalence ranged from 0.68% in Bassa to 16.07% in Jos North. On average, LGAs in the Southern Senatorial Zone had higher rates. Most (over 80%) positive cases were younger than 40 years. Females had a significantly higher (6.85%) prevalence than males (2.72%). Age-specific prevalence was higher among females aged 25 to 29 years (2.09%). Risk factors identified for acquisition of HIV infection were previous history of STDs (6, 16.28%); men having sex with men (2, 11.76%); having multiple sexual partners (97; 10.49%); intravenous drug use (10, 7.58%); sharing of sharp objects (20, 4.82%); and history of blood transfusion (21, 3.65%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The seemingly higher prevalence recorded in this survey could be attributed to the inclusion of high- and low-risk groups in the general population, unlike previous reports which studied only antenatal care attendees. This survey provides useful baseline information for further studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria. negomwalk@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Nenfort E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Gomwalk
authors.forename: Lohya
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nimzing
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Mawak
authors.forename: Nimzing G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Ladep
authors.forename: Stephen B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Dapiap
authors.forename: Demas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Damshak
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Christiana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barau
authors.forename: John K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Jinung
authors.forename: Bala M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Rumtong
authors.forename: Yusuf A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Agabi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult