HIV Infection among 50 Years and above Attending HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT) in Nnewi, Nigeria

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has afflicted persons of all ages leading to increase spread of the virus. This study attempts to determine the prevalence of HIV infection among 50 years of age and above over the five years of study in Nnewi, Nigeria. Methods: Males and females who were 50 years and above who underwent HCT in Nnewi between January 2008 to November 2012 were counseled and tested for HIV antibodies after giving an oral consent. Results: Of the 57,090 clients offered HCT, 4384 (7.7%) were 50 years and above while 52,706 (92.3%) were 15 - 49 years of age. The crude HIV prevalence was 8.2%. HIV infection in the 50 - 59 years of age was 2.4 times higher than that in the 60 years of age and above. A higher prevalence was observed in females (8.8%) compared with 7.8% in males in our study. No female 75 years and over was found to have HIV infection in our study (0%) while males in the same age group had a prevalence of 3.0%. The prevalence in our study was higher compared to the 2010 ANC sentinel survey (8.7%) in Anambra state. Conclusion: Our findings show that offering HCT routinely is feasible and may increase linkage to HIV care and treatment for many individuals with HIV infections. Routine HCT should be an integral component of any expansion in HIV prevention, care and treatment services in Africa and other settings where the prevalence of HIV is high. House to house HIV testing will improve uptake of testing among older population in developing countries.