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Innovative Biotech Ltd
Nigeria
Dr Simon Agwale
General overview (1)

Nigeria is the tenth largest country in the world
and the most populous in Africa. It is situated
within sub Saharan Africa which harbors about
67% of the world HIV/AIDS burden
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It has an estimated population of 120 million
(1999), representing over one fifth of the total
population of the African continent
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It is a democratic Federal Republic consisting
of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory
(FCT)
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The literacy level is estimated to be 55%
General overview (2)

Ever since HIV was reported in the country in
1996, the infection rate has continued to rise
steadily from less than 0.1% in 1987, to 1.8% in
1991, to 5.8% in 2001, with a slight decrease in
2003 sentinel survey to 5.0%
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The HIV prevalence rates in the two States
chosen for the study are 12% for Benue and 9%
for Nasarawa. Most of the female sex workers
have low literacy rates
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Presently, no study has effectively addressed
the incidence of the disease among this group
till date
HIV prevalence in Nigeria (1)
6
5
4
3
PREVALENCE
2
1
0
1991
1993
1996
1999
2001
2003
HIV prevalence in Nigeria (2)
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According to the National survey, HIV
prevalence rate among female sex workers in
Nigeria has remained high, and is on the
increase from 17.5% in 1991 through
22.5%(1993), to 35.6% in 1995
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Female sex workers constitutes an important
core group of HIV transmission to the general
population
Site overview
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Innovative Biotech Ltd (IBL) is a company
registered in Nigeria
Investigators have experience with clinical
research
Current research at IBL includes:
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Development of HIV candidate vaccines
Subtyping of HIV 1 and 2 in Nigeria
HIV drug resistance Surveillance in Nigeria
Prevalence of co-infection of HIV with Hepatitis B & C
Subtyping of Hepatitis C virus in Nigeria
Cross-sectional HIV incidence study among female
sex workers based at brothels in Nasarawa and
Benue states
Site locations
Interim study findings ( Feb. 07- April
11, 2006)
Total number of brothels
28
Total number recruited
266
Total number HIV positive
192
Total number of HIV negative
74
Total number of co-infection (HIV-1 and 2)
12
Number of HIV-1alone
180
Number of HIV-2
Nil
HIV prevalence so far
72%
Prevalence of co-infection
4.5%
Challenges

Subjects being skeptical of our intention-
 such trials are relatively new in the area
 Not comfortable with staff leaving with their blood
samples
 Some think their blood will be used for ritual purpose
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Resistance sometimes from their male clients
Brothel owners not being cooperative in some
places
Outright refusal to grant us entrance in some
brothels
Resistance to the ideal of someone witnessing
after signing the informed consent form
Current infrastructure
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DNA sequencer-DNA analyses
Real time PCR for Viral load quantification
Facs count for CD4/8 measurement
ELISA washer and reader
Chemistry analyzer
Vaccine administration and post-vaccination
surveillance
Training and capacity building for health workers,
organizations and the general public
Treatment services for HIV an other tropical infectious
diseases
Internet and Data entry/analyses
Pharmacy
Counselling unit
Reception
Data entry and processing
Serology lab
Lab equipment
IT Equipment
IBL Boardroom