JUNE 2008 — Working with Nigeria's Ministry of Health, USAID, CDC, and others, FHI was the lead technical partner on that country's 2007 integrated biological and behavioral surveillance survey.

People whose behaviors or occupations often place them at higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, were surveyed: female sex workers, men who have sex with men, injecting drug users, transport workers, and men and women in the armed forces and the police.

Five states (Anambra, Cross River, Edo, Kano, and Lagos) participated along with the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja). The main objectives were to assess respondents' knowledge and beliefs about STIs and HIV, determine the prevalence of HIV infection and syphilis among them, and obtain baseline data that will permit comparisons of risk behaviors, HIV infection, and syphilis over time.

The findings of this study will support advocacy and help in the planning of appropriate and targeted programs and interventions.

PHOTO: FHI Country Director Christoph Hamelmann and Dr Henry E. Akpan, HIV/AIDS Division Director, Federal Ministry of Health, confer at the IBBSS launch in April 2008, Abuja, Nigeria. (FHI/Nigeria)