The benefit of HIV voluntary counseling and testing (HVCT) in Abuja, Nigeria

HIV/AIDS present a major crisis that is increasingly affecting the most productive segments of the population across the development sectors in Nigeria. HIV voluntary counselling and testing (HVCT) has demonstrated its ability to increase number of people coming for testing because its free, the use of care and support services among adults, has contributed to viable strategies of HIV interventions. HIV antibody rapid testing has emerged as a key component of its prevention strategies world wide. Despite its importance in reducing HIV risk behavior and linking people to care and treatment, the actual HIV antibodies testing is still relatively low. Some rural areas in three out of six area councils in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja were visited from November 2006 to January 2007. One thousand six hundred and seventy (1670) people were voluntarily counselled and tested in these areas. Serial algorithm was performed using Determine HIV1&2 (Abbott Japan Co., LTD. Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan.), Stat pak™ HIV1&2 (Chembio diagnostic system, Inc. 3661 Horseblock road Medford, NY 11763, USA.) and Genie II HIV-1/HIV-2 (Bio-Rad, 3 boulevard Raymond Poincare 92430 Marnes LA Coquette-France). 734 (43.95%) were male and 936 (56.05%) were female. 115 (6.89%) people were positive for HIV antibodies, 1392 (83.35%) were negative for HIV antibodies and 163 (9.76%) defaulted. 1587 (95%) had never tested their HIV status benefitted from these programme. It is necessary to continue HVCT awareness in rural areas to avail more opportunity to benefit from these services to reduce HIV/AIDS infection.