On the 1st of December every year, we celebrate World’s AIDS Day, to give an opportunity for the community to unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS, to show support for those who have been diagnosed and to remember those who have been lost to the disease.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is one of the most serious public health
and development challenges facing the world today.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases. It is spread by contact with certain bodily fluids of a person with HIV, most commonly during unprotected sex (sex without a condom or HIV medicine to prevent or treat HIV), or through sharing injection drug equipment.
According to the Statistical Report on Women and Men in Nigeria by NBS, these are the states with the highest number of HIV/AIDS patients in 2019.
We can help fight HIV/AIDS, by getting tested for HIV/AIDS, by choosing less risky sexual behaviours, by talking to health care providers about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), getting tested and treated for STDs among other things.