The Akwa Ibom State Agency for the Control of AIDS has denied reports couples in the state account for 51.6 per cent of the infected people.
The Project Manager of AKSACA, Dr. Nkereuwem Etok, told our reporter in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital yesterday that the figure was a misrepresentation of the people of Akwa Ibom and an error in data presentation.
According to him, the current prevalence of HIV rate in the state is 10.8 per cent based on the 2014 Antenatal Sentinel Survey.
He said “It is true that Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corpora-tion (radio) phone-in programme on July 25, the figure 51.6 per cent came up as a response to a caller who asked a question bordering on the 10.8 per cent HIV prevalence in the state.
“The project manager, as caution sign for vulnerable groups went further to give a breakdown of the 10.8 per cent to comprise 4.0 per cent female sex workers; 30.4 per cent casual, heterosexual couples, 51:6 per cent married couples, and more.
“Sadly the reporter mistook this figure to mean that 51.6 per cent of Akwa Ibom couples are living with HIV rather than a component of the 10.8 per cent.
“Aware of the controversy surrounding the 10.8 per cent prevalence figure and the government and the people of Akwa Ibom State consider the figure as bloated.”
Etok assured the agency in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and FHI360 will soon publish the result of HIV survey it conducted.
Culled from Here
