By ChiomA Obinna
Substance abusers are more at risk of HIV infection than non-abusers.

A Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr. Moses Abayomi Ojo, has said use of illicit drugs interferes with judgment leading to risky sexual behaviour.

In a lecture entitled: HIV /AIDS and Alcohol and Drug Abuse” during an outreach programme organised by the Federal-Neuro Psychiatrist Hospital, Yaba, Lagos at Tejuosho motor park, Yaba, Ojo attributed the spread of HIV to certain lifestyle factors, some of which he said, are “culturally or environmentally related to our communities”.

According to him, other sexually transmitted diseases are also common among drug abusers, and studies have shown that contacting STD is a major vulnerability factor for HIV infection in exposed individuals.

Ojo noted that alcohol users were more likely to contract HIV because they are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour like engaging in unsafe sex and having multiple sexual partners amongst others.

He urged motor park users to stop engaging in risky behaviours including too much alcohol as there are no vaccines to prevent HIV infection, adding that AIDS has no cure.

Earlier, the Deputy Medical Director, Dr Yemi Ogun who spoke on behalf of the Medical Director, Dr.Rahman Lawal said the programme was part of the hospital’s Community Social Responsibility. According to her, the topic was chosen to also enlighten people on the relationship between substance abuse and HIV as records have shown that more people tend to abuse alcohol in motor parks.

… as nun advocates behavioural change
By Augusta Agina
A Nun, Rev. Sister Rose Bambe has called for behavioural change among Nigerian youths as part of strategies to check the spread of HIV.

Bambe who made the call during an Annual Road walk tagged “Zero Death, Zero Discrimination and Zero New infection organised by the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos Health Department to mark this Year’s World AIDS Day in Lagos, said unless people changed their behaviourial attitude, the virus may remain with mankind for a long time.

Bambe who is also the Catholic Health and HIV Coordinator said preventing discrimination and stigmatisation of people living with the virus would go a long way in checking the spread.

She stressed that awareness should not only be on World AIDS Day but should be a collective responsibility.

She further said that people living with the virus should be shown love to enable them live positively.

“If a person is so unfortunate to contact the virus, the most important thing is not to infect other people the best thing to do is to take the basic precautions and learn to keep their things to themselves.