The International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE) at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has collaborated with the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) to commence a research study on non-communicable diseases among People Living with HIV (PLHIV).
While training the research study team at University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), IRCE Senior Research Officer, Dr. Jibreel Jumare stated that the research is to understand the factors that influence the occurrence of non-communicable diseases and its prevalence among PLHIV in Nigeria.
“This research is in response to the rising trend of non-communicable diseases among HIV infected individuals. HIV is no longer a death sentence but a chronic disease. As PLHIV live longer, they may be at risk of diseases associated with aging. The study will help understand the causes of diseases like hypertension, cancer, diabetes, kidney and heart diseases among PLHIV. It will also identify how best to manage the conditions among HIV patients.”
Dr. Jumare said that findings from the study will guide interventions to reduce the frequency of these diseases and the risks associated with them.
UATH Monitoring and Evaluation Focal Person and Research Study Team Member, Mr. Lamda Ramnap, is optimistic that the research will benefit hospital staff and PLHIV. ‘I’ll be client focused, follow up on clients who consent to participate in this research and ensure proper documentation,” he said.
The open-ended research is to involve 3500 participants.