NIGERIA: HIV/AIDS eradicating military - study

HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death in Nigeria's military and police forces, a study carried out among 500 naval officers has suggested.

The study, which was published recently in the Biomedcentral Public Health Journal, estimated that the pandemic was now responsible for more than half the deaths in the forces.

Experts stressed that one of the most realistic ways of controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS across Nigeria was to tackle it in the military.

Research shows that soldiers being posted away from partners for long periods of time are at high risk of HIV infection and often fuel the spread of the disease.

To access the report: http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1471-2458-4-24.pdf

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews, Other,

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]