Stigma, Hardship Driving New HIV Infections in Kano — NGO

In Kano State, Nigeria, a concerning trend of new HIV infections is being fueled by a trifecta of societal challenges: pervasive stigma, outright denial, and crushing economic hardship. Support for Women and Teenage Children (SWTC), a local Non-Governmental Organisation, has shed light on these critical issues, revealing how they create significant barriers to testing, treatment, and ultimately, prevention.

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Stigma remains a major barrier to testing and treatment uptake. Some patients are afraid their families or communities will find out, while others stigmatise themselves and withdraw from society.

Dr. Farida Abdulmalik, the program director at SWTC, explained that stigma remains a formidable obstacle, causing individuals to fear discovery by their families and communities, or even self-stigmatize and withdraw. This fear, coupled with denial of one's HIV status, contributes to severe complications and avoidable deaths. Dr. Abdulmalik cited the tragic example of pregnant women refusing to accept their status, inadvertently transmitting the virus to their children. The non-disclosure of status within families, particularly for children born with HIV who may take medication without understanding why, poses a long-term danger as they reach adolescence.

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Denial is a serious issue. We have seen cases where pregnant women refused to accept their status, leading to transmission to their children.

While recent sensitization campaigns have shown a positive increase in willingness to undergo testing, the numbers remain alarming. The first quarter of 2026 saw over 800 new infections in Kano. Although Dr. Abdulmalik stresses that these cases are manageable with proper treatment and sustained interventions, she emphasizes that preventing new infections must be the paramount focus. The most vulnerable group identified is sexually active adolescents and young people, whose engagement in risky behaviors, including transactional sex, is often driven by economic desperation.

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We can manage the existing cases effectively, but prevention of new infections must remain a top priority.

From a local perspective in Kano, these findings underscore the urgent need for a multi-pronged approach. While free testing and treatment are available through primary healthcare centers, and the state government's commitment to free antiretroviral drugs is commendable, these efforts must be amplified. SWTC calls for a state-specific HIV/AIDS policy, robust community engagement involving religious leaders, improved disclosure practices within families, and expanded, culturally sensitive awareness campaigns. The message is clear: knowing one's status is crucial, and HIV is not a death sentence, but a manageable condition with proper care and societal support. The fight against HIV in Kano requires not just medical intervention, but a concerted effort to dismantle stigma and address the socio-economic factors that drive vulnerability.

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Everyone should know their HIV/AIDS status. People should stop hiding—HIV is not a death sentence. With proper treatment, individuals can live normal, productive lives.