Gender Relations and HIV Transmission in North-Central Nigeria

Nigeria’s most recent National HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health Survey of 2012 shows a decline in the national prevalence rate from 3.6% in 2007 to 3.0% in 2012. Despite this moderate decrease, the rate for the North-central geopolitical zone: (5.7 and 3.4%, respectively) remained higher than the national average for both years. Besides, virtually all of the HIV and AIDS surveys conducted in Nigeria from 1999 till date have consistently shown higher rates among females than males. For instance, it was 4.0 and 3.5% among females; and 3.5 and 3.3% in males in 2007 and 2012 respectively. UNAIDS reported that studies on the mode of transmission in 2008 found the bulk of new infections among cohabiting and married sexual partners who are not engaged in high risk sex (42.2%) compared to casual heterosexual sex (9.1%) and sex workers (3.4%). Higher vulnerability among married females implies higher risk of parent to child transmission, yet married women are perceived as a “low risk” group. Against this backdrop, I studied some gender related socio-cultural factors that influence HIV transmission among married women in two ethnic groups in North-central Nigeria. Results of the qualitative study conducted through 24 in-depth interviews and 36 focus group discussions in six communities indicate that marital consent; women’s poor access to safe sex; double standards in marital sexual practices; gender based violence against women; among others influence the spread of HIV infection in married heterosexual couples. In conclusion, marriage does not necessarily reduce HIV vulnerability in women.