3 Out of Every 10 Female Police Officers in Abuja are AIDS/HIV Positive...

Dr. Grace Okodu, a Commissioner of Police National Coordinator of Police Action Committee on AIDS, while speaking on Sunday said during her presentation on “Strengthening HIV intervention Service For Most at Risk Persons” said that “In all, female police officers in the FCT had the highest prevalence at 12.7 percent (mathematically 3 out of every 10) compared to 5.6 percent (Mathematically, 1 out of every 20) of their male counterparts. Sub-populations, who are especially at risk, have been identified within the NPF. These include Police officers on peace-keeping operations, Border patrol Police, Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Mobile Police, Anti-Terrorism unit, Highway Patrol and Medical units.”

Earlier she noted that HIV/AIDS response within the NPF was not only a health sector issue but a multi-sectoral concern that affected all aspects, ramifications and dimensions of the statutory functions of the NPF as well as its structure and work environment. In her words she said, “This strategic plan seeks to address the programme gaps within the HIV/AIDS response of the NPF. It will serve as a Policy Guide for the implementation of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support activities in the NPF which will be implemented by the NPF itself and through external support. She also added that, “There is paucity of research evidence to inform targeted and relevant HIV/AIDS program within the NPF. However, the IBBSS 2010 offer some hope…While the NPF is a predominantly male occupation, female police officers have been found to consistently have a higher HIV prevalence than their male counterparts in all the states where the IBBSS was conducted.

She stated that out of the about 350,000 officers, 77 percent of them constitute the rank and file who also have “the least of standard of accommodation.”

“Wherever there is strife there is always sexual activities. Police barracks environment possesses several factors that can promote sexual behaviour. Behavioural change is necessary; we want to reduce stigma in the barracks,” she stressed.