By Suleiman Tajudeen
CITIZENS COMPASS – Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, making it hard for the body to fight off diseases.
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the last stage of HIV infection, when the body’s immune system is severely damaged.
HIV/AIDS is an unprecedented crisis that demands an exceptional response. More than 40 million people are infected with HIV, over 20 million have died, and there are more than 15 million AIDS orphans (UNDP HIV/AIDS 2004,2012,2022) infact the AIDS pandemic is a threat to the future of a nation hence the need for all hands on deck to reduce the menace of HIV/AIDS globally.
Historically, the first two aids cases in Nigeria were diagnosed in 1985 and reported in 1986 in Lagos state. One of which was a young female sex worker aged 13 years from one of the west African countries (Nasid and Harry 2000).
How does HIV spread?
HIV spreads through:
1. Unprotected sex (sex without condoms)
2. Sharing of sharp objects (e.g needles, syringes)
3. Mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding
4. Blood transfusions (rare in Nigeria due to strict screening)
*How can HIV be prevented?*
1. Abstinence (not having sex)
2. Safe sex (using condoms)
3. Faithfulness (being loyal to one partner)
4. Avoid sharing sharp objects
5. Getting tested and treated if necessary.
Signs and symptoms of HIV/AIDS
1. Fever
2. Fatigue
3. Weight loss
4. Skin rashes
5. Swollen lymph nodes
6. Diarrhoea
7. Coughing
Importance of HIV testing
1. Know your status
2. Get treated early if positive
3. Prevent transmission to others.
Psychological aspects of HIV/AIDS
People living with HIV/AIDS have a higher chance of developing mood disorder, anxiety, and cognitive disorder. Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions faced by people living with HIV. It is therefore to remember that any psychological problems experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS can be managed psychologically, this will enable the concerned individual to function optimally in his area of endeavour in life.
Risk factors for the youth
• Early age at first sexual intercourse
• Risk taking behaviour as part of the transition to adulthood
• Belief of being invulnerable (i.e it cannot happen to me)
• Boys feeling pressure to prove their “manhood”
• Low level of awareness of the disease
• Low level of awareness to the use of condoms and other save sex practices
• Tendency of sexually active youth have multiple sexual partners
• Vulnerability to sexual coercion and abuse
• Use of sex to ease loneliness, boost self esteem and gain respect
• Lack of skill in negotiating sexual decisions
• Exchange of sex for basic needs like school fees, clothes, food, money or shelter.
• Cross generational sex(i.e sugar daddy and sugar mummy syndrome)
• The use of alcohol and other substances.
Negative effects of HIV/AIDS
• It expose our youth to any form of sexually transmitted diseases ( i.e gonorrhoea and Chlamydial infection)
• HIV may affect educational attainment through illness
• Medical appointments
• Stigma experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS is not a small one
• Interpersonal relationships can be affected
• Medical problems like weight loss, diarrhoea, weakness of the body and fever that often leads to weight loss
• Brain and nervous system effects that are often called neurological complications.
• Psychological effects include mood disorder, anxiety and other psychological problems
• Poor social support and communication problems.
Management of HIV/AIDS among students and the public
1. Any patient diagnosed with HIV should take antiretroviral therapy medicines(ART) no matter the stages or complications.
2. Psychotherapeutic intervention include:
• Individual psychotherapy
• Group Psychotherapy
• Cognitive restructuring
• Positive coping skills (p.c.s)
• Venting (sharing personal problems with the therapist)
• Social support
• Behavior activation
• Practicing yoga
• Medication
• Mindfulness
3. Voluntary confidential counselling and testing need to be
To be continued…
Dr Suleiman Tajudeen is Head, Clinical Psychology, LagosUniversity Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos State
