Internally displaced persons, especially married couples, are more likely to get infected with HIV/Aids than any other group − statistics show that they have the highest rate of infection in Borno State.

Fatima Dayyabu Ali, a medical technician at Mustapha Laboratory in Maiduguri, said there was little awareness and knowledge about HIV/Aids among internally displaced persons and most individuals did not go for regular, if any, check-ups.

According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, because of repeated attacks by extremists, particularly in northeastern Nigeria, millions of people had been displaced.

Internally displaced persons’ camps are congested. The residents are often neglected, stigmatised and face difficulties in accessing basic services.

They are affected by grave violations of human rights and widespread sexual and gender-based violence.

Ali said a report produced about two months ago showed that all internally displaced persons, but particularly married couples, were more likely to be infected with and affected by the virus.

“Mostly one spouse is positive and does not tell their spouse, who ultimately gets infected.”

She said there needed to be more awareness programmes and more people needed to go for testing. Most non-governmental organisations – as well as state clinics and hospitals − could assist those who tested positive and would supply antiretroviral drugs to control the virus.

“One woman told me that she had been positive for more than 10 years but she had not informed her husband. I advised her to tell her husband so that if he tested positive he would be given antiretroviral medication,” Ali said.

“I urge everyone to get regular check-ups, especially if you intend marrying someone,” she said.

But one man interviewed said: “I will check my HIV status only if the family of the woman I want to marry make it compulsory for me to do so.”

Another man said: “I have never gone to check on my status. But every three months I donate blood so I know I’m not HIV positive. If I was positive, the blood service would have informed me.”

• The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks and kills CD4 cells, which are a type of immune cell called T cell. HIV is spread by contact with certain bodily fluids – blood, semen, vaginal and rectal fluids and breast milk − of a person with HIV, most commonly during unprotected sex (sex without a condom or HIV medicine to prevent or treat HIV), or through sharing injection drug equipment. It is If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease Aids (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).