The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that infects cells of the immune system, destroying their function. Sub-Saharan Africa continues to bear a disproportionate share of the global HIV burden. In mid 2010, about 68% of all people living with HIV resided in sub-Saharan Africa, a region with only 12% of the global populations (UNAIDS, 2011) It was estimated that 3.5 million in Nigeria  in  2012,  making  Nigeria  third  amongcountries with the highest burden of HIV infection in the world after India and South Africa (NARHS Plus II, 2012).  Figure 1 shows Nigerian sero-prevalence rates during the period from 1991 to 2012. National prevalence is gradually declining, from a high of over 5.5% in 2001 to about 3% in 2012, according to Nigeria’s National HIV and AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey (NARHS Plus II, 2012). The survey also provided information for several demographics as follows. Urban prevalence was 3.2%, compared with 3.6% for rural areas. Among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, South South had the highest prevalence at 6.3%, while South East had the lowest at 1.3%. The age groups with highest and lowest prevalence were 35 to 39 (3.6%) and 15 to 19, 40 to 44 and 45 to 49 (2.7%) respectively. There was no significant difference in prevalence between females (3.4 %) and males (3.3 %).

The leading route of HIV transmission in Nigeria is heterosexual intercourse (accounting for over 80% of new infections), followed by mother-to-child transmission. Of new adult infections, 38% can be attributed to female sex workers (FSW), injecting drug users, (IDU) and men having sex with men (MSM) which constitute 3.5% of the adult population (FMOH, 2010 and NSP, 2010). Additionally, IDU and MSM are growing in importance (NSP, 2010).

There has been a shift from viewing HIV risk as predominantly an individual behavior to viewing it as impacted by social, economic, political, and/or cultural determinants (Weine and Kashuba, 2012). Several social and economic factors have been shown to have significant impact on prevalence, including education level, wealth, and marital status.  For purposes of formulating policy and developing effective strategies against AIDS, it is clearly beneficial to have an accurate picture of the various determinants and their importance in contributing to HIV prevalence.  

 

 

OBJECTIVE

 

This paper analyzes the determinants of HIV infection in Nigeria from a social perspective. The analysis follows Dahlgren and Whitehead’s (1991) model of determinants of health of individuals in a population, which characterizes health determinants in terms of successive layers of societal influence (Figure 2). The innermost layer includes personal characteristics such as age and sex. The next layer includes personal factors, such as individual habits and lifestyles. The third layer of influences includes individuals’ social interaction in the local community (with family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, healthcare workers etc.), The fourth layer comprises living and working conditions, including factors such as education, work environment, unemployment and healthcare.  The outermost layer takes into account overall socio-economic, cultural and political factors.

A literature review of relevant material on HIV and determinants of health was conducted. In particular, English language journal articles (published and grey) and reports between 2000 and 2015 were used. PubMed (Medline), Google Scholar, and e-Library were the search engines used to identify relevant articles. The search strategy paired the search term “Nigeria HIV infection” with various search terms related to the different factors indicated by Dahlgren and Whitehead’s model. A comprehensive list of the search terms used is given in the Appendix. Cited articles were searched for references to additional studies, and priority was given to primary source articles. Additionally, nine country-specific reports on HIV were reviewed: national demographic and health survey (NPC)  2009, NSP (2010 to  2015), IBBSS (2010), NARHS Plus (2007), FMOH (2008), NACA report (2005, 2009), WHO (2006), FGN (2009), FGN (2010), UNICEF (2010), WHO (2013), UNAIDS (2012), and PEPFAR (2012). A total of 43 publications were reviewed, including the fourteen reports listed above.

Determinants identified were analyzed according to Dahlgren and Whitehead’s model of social determinants of health described above and depicted in Figure 2. Although Dahlgren and Whitehead’s general scheme was maintained, there are some differences in the specific factors considered. For example, political factors were added to the outermost layer, while agriculture and housing were not included among living and working conditions due to non-availability of relevant articles. In the following discussion, determinants from the outermost layer are presented first, progressing successively inward.

Socioeconomic

 

When the Nigerian population is classified according to wealth, out of five wealth categories a prevalence of about 3.6% was recorded in the two wealthiest categories as compared to 2.9% for the poorest (NARHS Plus II, 2012). The 2008 NDHS respondents in the highest wealth quintile had the highest comprehension that condom use will protect against HIV and that HIV-negative faithful partners can reduce chances of getting the AIDS virus. However, risky sexual practices are higher among men and women in the highest wealth quintile (NPC and ICF Macro, 2009).

A study conducted by Mahal et al. (2008) details the serious economic challenges that HIV-affected households in Nigeria are likely to face compared to their HIV-negative counterparts. These include the likelihood of substantial income losses, increased burden of care-giving, as well as higher out-of-pocket healthcare spending.  Even with subsidies and free healthcare services such as HIV counseling and testing, antiretroviral therapy and care from support groups, direct and indirect annual per capita income losses from ill health for PLWHIV were estimated at 21,589 naira (U.S. $116), as compared to 3,853 naira ($21) for HIV negative individuals. Similarly, the annual hospitalization rate was 27.04%% for PLWHIV as against 4.44% for HIV negative persons. Frequency of  illness  in  PLWHIV  was  4  times higher than for HIV negative persons. Annual estimated healthcare expense for PLWHIV was 10,729 Naira ($58) per capita; versus 1,329 Naira ($7) for HIV negative persons (Mahal et al., 2008). Inability of infected persons to meet socioeconomic demands in Nigeria contributes to the spread of the infection.

 

 

Cultural practices

 

Widespread traditional practices which increase risk of HIV infection include polygamy and wife inheritance, facial marking/tattooing (the use of contaminated instrument increases risk of infection) and ghost marriage (in which a deceased husband’s relative steps in as sexual partner for the widow) (Ugwu, 2009). Due to cultural gender inequalities, women often cannot negotiate condom use with their husbands or sex partners: this fact should be interpreted in light of findings from NARHS Plus II (2012) that HIV infection was significantly higher (5%) among respondents that reported not using condoms. The practice of sex in exchange for gifts also promotes higher risk of HIV infection: the risk was more pronounced for males in rural areas, and for females in urban areas (NARHS Plus II, 2012).

Female genital cutting (FGC) includes procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female organs for non-medical reasons (WHO, 2013). Findings from NARHS (2005) shows that female genital cutting is more prevalent in the southern part of Nigeria than the northern part, with South West and South East each recording that over 50% of females are circumcised (Table 1). According to UNICEF (2010), FGC in Nigeria is often carried out by traditional birth attendants using unsanitary knives and other sharp instrument in unhygienic conditions which could transmit HIV. In addition, Monjok et al. (2007) have illustrated how FGC increases risk of HIV infection.

Male circumcision (MC) has also been practiced for centuries. In resource-poor settings, most circumcisions are still done outside the formal health sector as a rite of passage into adulthood or as a religious observance (WHO, 2006). A study conducted by Illiyasu et al. (2012) reveals that 368 of 375 respondents reported being circumcised. The majority (97.8%) favour continuation of the practice, while approximately 73% of the respondents agreed that circumcised men still need to employ condoms during sex for protection against sexually-transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. A total of 22.1% respondents pointed out problems associated with the availability and the standardization of circumcision services at health facilities, which explains widespread reliance on traditional circumcisers (Table 2)

 

 

Political

 

The   National  agency  for  the  control  of  AIDS  (NACA) (successor to the National Action Committee on AIDS) is at the apex of linked government institutions in the multisectoral HIV/AIDS response architecture. NACA is mandated to provide overall coordination of the national response. However, the financial commitment from the Nigerian government has been low, and funding is externally dependent. In 2007 and 2008, 85.4 and 92.3% (respectively) of funding for HIV/AIDS activities in Nigeria came from international organizations (NACA, 2010).

At the state and local government levels, there are critical shortfalls in managerial capacity. Political interference in the coordination structure distorts relationships and linkages of institutions at several levels (NACA, 2005). One example of adverse political influence is the overconcentration of HIV prevention efforts in urban communities, as against rural areas where knowledge is grossly inadequate. Another example is the inadequate level of programme implementation focusing on youth categories such as in-school, out-of-school and students at higher learning institutions (FGN, 2010).

Little progress has been made on the implementation of a National HIV/AIDS policy, including a HIV/AIDS workplace policy. This encompasses rights of employees (particularly PLWHIV) and their families, such as issues of confidentiality, healthcare, testing, benefits and discrimination due to stigma (FGN, 2009). Gender inequities in HIV programming are not surprising, given the gender inequity that is prevalent in Nigerian public service (PEPFAR, 2012).

 

 

Education

 

According to NARHS Plus II (2012), prevalence was higher among people with primary and higher education (3.0% and above), compared with people who had either Qur’anic (2.4%) or no formal education (2.5%). The 2008 NDHS showed that among women and men of age 15 to 49, those with higher education engaged in higher levels of high-risk sexual behavior in the previous year (NPC, 2009). NARHS Plus II (2012) showed a similar correlation between higher education and higher HIV prevalence. Therefore, acquired knowledge does not inhibit infection, but effective application of knowledge gained. In a study conducted by Agaba et al. (2014), education level had no significant effect on the percentage of patients receiving treatment for HIV that were late presenters of the disease, or that first presented when they were already in the stage of advanced HIV disease (AHD).  When grouped by education level (no formal education, primary/secondary, and tertiary), all three groups had rates of late presentation close to 85.5%, and rates of presentation with AHD close to 63%.

A study conducted by Risley et al. (2012) revealed an estimated 340,940 Nigerian teachers living with HIV, which negatively impacts the quality of education since PLWHIV experience increased illness and absenteeism from work (FHI, 2004).

 

 

Work environment

 

According to IBBSS (2010), HIV prevalence was 27.4% among brothel-based female sex workers (BBFSW), followed by 21.7% among non-brothel-based  female  sex workers. A study on condom use rate in brothels in Nigeria conducted by Anyanti et al. (2003) reveals that only 57% of BBFSW used condoms consistently with all clients. Adherence to condom use depended on the level of intimacy with the sex partner, and the amount paid by the client for sex. Other occupational subpopulations measured by IBBSS include transport workers (2.4%), military  (2.5%),   and  police  (2.6%). Muhammad et al.  (2010) found that among male prison inmates, with highest and lowest prevalence were 10 to 20 (7.1%) and 41 to 50 years (4.0%), respectively. A study on HIV infection by Azuonwu and Obire (2011) conducted among patients at the Nigeria army hospital, air force clinic and police clinic in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria showed that HIV prevalence was highest among air force personnel (20%) while army and police were both at 12%.

The study also showed slightly higher HIV prevalence amongst female (16.7%) than male (14.3%) counterparts, although the difference was not statistically significant.  Aniebue and Aniebue (2011) reported that HIV screening is still low among Nigerian long distance truck drivers (LDTD), despite their high-risk sexual conduct. Also, Sunmola (2005) showed that only 32.3% of LDTD reported ever used a condom in sexual relationships. Agaba et al. (2014), found that among occupational categories, civil servants who received treatment for HIV had the highest percentage of late presenters (88.3%, p<0.001) and presenters with AHD (66.1%, p=0.001). This could be related to civil servants’ fear of losing their jobs; or, it might be due to the fact that civil servants are predominantly male, and males showed significantly higher rates of late presentation and AHD than females. Owolabi et al. (2012), have documented that dismissal from workplace may indeed occur as a consequence of disclosure.

A study conducted in Benin-City by Aisien and Shobowale (2005) showed poor adherence on the part of health care workers (HCW) to standard precautions in dealing with HIV/AIDS patients. This was partially due to ignorance and lack of the proper materials. Medical instruments were often not properly sterilized; hand-washing before medical examinations was frequently not performed; needles and medical wastes were frequently not properly disposed; and protections from potentially infectious blood during surgery were deficient. Almost 40% of the HCW in the study felt that they were at high risk for developing HIV due to their working at a health facility.

 

 

Unemployment

 

According to Agaba et al. (2014) unemployed patients who received treatment were at higher risk for late presentation (84.3%, p=0.009) and presentation with AHD (61.4%, p=0.05) than employed patients. In a study of patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy in Jos, Nigeria, unemployed patients were found to have significantly higher risk of rapid mortality. Unemployed patients were also much more likely to be lost to follow-up, implying that they were likely to have discontinued treatment (Desilva et al., 2009).

 

 

Health care services

 

One author’s (AJO) experience as a research coordinator for Global Fund Round 5’s HIV counseling and testing (HCT) component confirms that HCT is a key entry point for client’s knowledge of HIV status, which invariably leads to treatment for positive patients. But because of stigmatization and discrimination, HCT service points at health centers are shunned by many that might benefit. The poor thus go without testing, while the rich travel abroad for testing and treatment that they could obtain in Nigeria. A study by Reis et al. (2005) found that health professionals displayed discriminatory attitudes and unethical behaviour towards patients with HIV, including denial of care and breach of confidentiality. Faced with these possible consequences, people prefer to remain untested, thereby increasing the infection rate.

A survey of the knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes of nurses and laboratory technologists in Lagos State, Nigeria showed that respondents’ knowledge of HIV/AIDS was fairly good, but attitudes towards PLWA were rather less positive. 35.4% of respondents felt that PLWA were receiving the punishment they deserved, while 47.2% would not be willing to work in the same office with a PLWA. The study of Reis et al. (2005) conducted among health-care professionals in four Nigerian states confirms the presence of discriminatory attitudes, although only among a rather small minority. 8% agreed that treatment of patients with HIV/AIDS wasted precious resources. Aisien and Shobowale (2005) have linked discriminatory practices among health-care workers to fear of them contracting HIV: 33% were not comfortable providing health care services to HIV positive patients, while 64% were uncomfortable performing surgical procedures on HIV-positive patients.

In Nigeria, traditional birth attendants (TBA) play a significant role in the delivery of babies. However, over 22% of TBAs proffer unscientific methods for prevention of mother to child transmission (MTCT) while only 34.3% show interest in knowing the HIV status of their pregnant patient (Balogun and Odeyemi, 2010).

 

 

Social and community networks

 

In many cases, social networks have a negative impact on HIV prevalence, because of the stigmatization of and discrimination against people living with HIV (PLWHIV) (NACA, 2005). Prevalence among divorced/separated and widowed/widower are higher compared to other marriage categories, further adding to the stigma (Obi et al., 2010; NARHS plus II, 2012). Various causes contribute to social stigma (Odimegwu et al., 2013). HIV is associated with already-stigmatized groups such as sex workers and lesbians. HIV is often viewed as divine punishment for misbehavior. Many people are fearful of infection, due to ignorance about the mechanism of HIV transmission. For instance, in a survey performed by Odimegwu et al. (2013), 19% of respondents thought that HIV could be contracted by sharing food with an infected person.

 

 

Individual lifestyle

 

Sexual habits are decisive determinants of the risk of HIV infection. According to IBBSS Nigeria (2010), the HIV prevalence among MSM is 17.2%. MSM activity is typically conducted through underground networks, due to cultural, religious, and political ostracism: usually such activity is kept secret even from families. A large percent of individuals engaging in MSM identify as bisexual: so HIV among MSM may also contribute to HIV prevalence among heterosexuals (Allman et al., 2007). Ankomah et al. (2013) reported that in Nigeria, as in many other countries where HIV is transmitted mostly through heterosexual activities, the risk of transmission of HIV is largely determined by sex outside stable relationships. For individuals engaging in such practices, the risk is heightened when no protection is used. Thus the authors concur with Ankomah et al. (2013) that promotion of condom use for those engaging in higher-risk sexual activities should therefore be a major preventive strategy (Tables 3 and 4).

 

 

Age

 

Age of sexual debut plays a significant role in an individual’s exposure to HIV infection. According to John et al. (2013), condom usage among age 13 to 14 years who had their first sexual experience was 36.1%, and 37.6% of them had more than one sex partners. A similar study conducted by Pettifor et al. (2009) showed that condom use at first sex experience increases with increase in age among female and male of ages 15 to 19 and 20 ton24 years, it was found that 46.6% (female) and 56.2 (male) among ages 15 to 19 did not use condom as against 58.6% (female) and 62.6 (male) of age 20 to24 years. Agaba et al. (2014) found that male patients were significantly older than female patients: median ages were 38 and 31, respectively (p<0.001).

 

 

Sex and gender

 

In Nigeria, gender roles are in every sector which increases or reduces chances of HIV infection. Particularly, women are vulnerable to the infection because of their role in procreation and their generally subordinate position in society. They typically lack equal access to education, health, training, independent income, property and legal rights which have serious implications for their right to access to knowledge on HIV/AIDS. These measures can be taken to prevent transmission of the HIV infection, as well as their ability to protect themselves (NSP, 2010).

Women are motivated to undertake HIV counseling and testing (HCT) before delivering their babies (Galadanci et al., 2014). These observations support the FMOH (2006) report that the results of periodic national surveys among ante-natal clinic attendees showed a progressive increase in the adult HIV sero-prevalence rate. Similarly, a study by Akhigbe et al. (2010) illustrated that there is a marginal gender preference in the prevalence of HIV seen in females due to a higher number of the gender utilizing the HIV counseling and testing (HCT) service. Agaba et al. (2014) found that significantly higher percentages of males receiving treatment were late presenters (90.1% versus 83.3% for females, p<0.001) and presenters with AHD (70.4% versus 59.2%, p<0.001). This may be due to increased fear among males of stigmatization (Alubo et al., 2002).

A qualitative study conducted by Mbonu et al. (2010) documented significant differences in attitudes towards HIV-positive individuals based on the infected person’s sex. Typically, HIV-positive women are blamed and labeled as “flirts”; while HIV-positive men are excused, and their infection is attributed to nonsexual causes such as haircuts (Mbonu et al., 2010).

Among women with symptoms of STI (including HIV), 15.8% have never married, as compared to 6.4% for their male counterparts. This can be explained by different social attitudes towards extramarital sexual activity of men and women, as well as inadequate knowledge of STIs among vulnerable, inexperienced women (NARHS Plus II, 2012). 

The result of the analysis identified political, healthcare service, social networking, lifestyle, and gender determinants as predominant over others.

In Nigeria, there are political structures for HIV control at all Government levels (Local, State and Federal) which are intended to execute comprehensive HIV control programmes that include behavioural change communications and healthcare services. However, effectiveness has been limited due to poor coordination, political interference and inadequate political will as evidenced by underfunding by the government.

Healthcare services for MSM patients are impaired due to stigma, discrimination and criminalization of MSM in Nigeria. Despite the illegal status of MSM, the needs of MSM patients should not be neglected. Infection rates among FSW (either brothel-based or non-brothel) are similarly exacerbated due to stigma. Even among patients with regular employment, fear of stigma produces high incidence of late presentation of the disease, thus delaying treatment, reducing survival rates, and causing further increases in infection rates. Social stigma, over and above the economic and physical burden imposed on AIDS patients, produces a crushing weight, and only worsens the mortality and prevalence of the disease. Feeble government policies have done little to lessen the burden. The prevention of MTCT of HIV at health facilities and TBAs requires a multi-stakeholder approach. Inadequate of  HIV/AIDS  awareness  and  low and  low  standards  of  practice among TBAs are of special concern.

The promotion of condom use is one strategy that could significantly decrease infection  rates. No  research was found on the use of female condoms, but awareness and utilization are limited in Nigeria.

 

 

LIMITATIONS

 

Dahlgren and Whitehead’s determinant of health model was helpful in suggesting possible determinants of infection. Not all of the specific factors considered by Dahlgren and Whitehead were used due to non-availability of related articles; and other factors were added based on the authors’ judgment of their importance. 

This study was supervised by the International course in health development of the Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) in Nigeria made available national reports for the study.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Search strategies Key words used for PubMed (Medline)

 

1) Nigeria HIV infection and gender norms

 (("nigeria" [MeSH Terms] OR "nigeria" [All Fields]) AND ("hiv infections" [MeSH Terms] OR ("hiv" [All Fields] AND "infections" [All Fields]) OR "hiv infections" [All Fields] OR ("hiv" [All Fields] AND "infection" [All Fields]) OR "hiv infection" [All Fields])) AND (("sex" [MeSH Terms] OR "sex" [All Fields] OR "gender" [All Fields] OR "gender identity" [MeSH Terms] OR ("gender" [All Fields] AND "identity" [All Fields]) OR "gender identity" [All Fields]) AND norms [All Fields]) AND ("2003/10/07"[PDat]: "2013/10/03" [PDat]).

 

2) Nigeria HIV infection and age factor

("nigeria" [MeSH Terms] OR "nigeria" [All Fields]) AND ("hiv infections" [MeSH Terms] OR ("hiv" [All Fields] AND "infections" [All Fields]) OR "hiv infections" [All Fields] OR ("hiv" [All Fields] AND "infection" [All Fields]) OR "hiv infection" [All Fields])) AND ("age factors" [MeSH Terms] OR ("age" [All Fields] AND "factors" [All Fields]) OR "age factors"[All Fields] OR ("age" [All Fields] AND "factor" [All Fields]) OR "age factor" [All Fields]) AND ("2000/01/01" [PDAT] : "2013/12/31" [PDAT]).

 

3) Nigeria HIV infection and (social support or social network)

(("nigeria" [MeSH Terms] OR "nigeria" [All Fields]) AND ("hiv infections" [MeSH Terms] OR ("hiv" [All Fields] AND "infections" [All Fields]) OR "hiv infections" [All Fields] OR ("hiv" [All Fields] AND "infection" [All Fields]) OR "hiv infection "[All Fields])) AND ("social support" [MeSH Terms] OR ("social" [All Fields] AND "support" [All Fields]) OR "social support" [All Fields] OR ("social" [All Fields] AND "network" [All Fields]) OR "social network" [All Fields]).

 

4) Nigeria HIV infection and education

(("nigeria" [MeSH Terms] OR "nigeria" [All Fields]) AND ("hiv infections" [MeSH Terms] OR ("hiv" [All Fields] AND "infections" [All Fields]) OR "hiv infections" [All Fields] OR ("hiv" [All Fields] AND "infection"[All Fields]) OR "hiv infection" [All Fields])) AND ("education" [Subheading] OR "education" [All Fields] OR "educational status" [MeSH Terms] OR ("educational" [All Fields] AND "status" [All Fields]) OR "educational status" [All Fields] OR "education" [All Fields] OR "education" [MeSH Terms]).

 

5) Nigeria HIV infection and socioeconomic

(("nigeria" [MeSH Terms] OR "nigeria" [All Fields]) AND ("hiv infections" [MeSH Terms] OR ("hiv" [All Fields] AND "infections" [All Fields]) OR "hiv infections" [All Fields] OR ("hiv" [All Fields] AND "infection" [All Fields]) OR "hiv infection "[All Fields])) AND socioeconomic [All Fields].

 

6) Nigeria HIV infection AND politics

("hiv" [MeSH Terms] OR "hiv" [All Fields]) AND ("nigeria" [MeSH Terms] OR "nigeria" [All Fields]) AND ("politics"[ MeSH Terms] OR "politics" [All Fields]).

 

7) Nigeria HIV infection AND government

("hiv" [MeSH Terms] OR "hiv" [All Fields]) AND ("nigeria" [MeSH Terms] OR "nigeria" [All Fields]) AND ("government" [MeSH Terms] OR "government"[All Fields]).