The Lagos State Government has begun a landmark HIV survey aimed at assessing the prevalence, treatment coverage, and viral load suppression among residents.
The exercise, known as the State-Level Antiretroviral Therapy Impact Survey, is being carried out in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme, and international partners including PEPFAR and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to the Lagos State Ministry of Health, the household-based survey will cover 205 enumeration areas across 20 local government areas, targeting 6,150 households and approximately 11,397 residents aged between 15 and 64 years.
A pilot test of the programme is scheduled for September 29 and 30, 2025, before the main data collection begins.
Officials confirmed that the full survey will run from October through December 2025.
The project is expected to provide reliable data for HIV epidemic control and guide resource allocation for treatment and prevention programmes.
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The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency has begun community mobilisation, including town-hall meetings and door-to-door campaigns, to ensure widespread participation and reduce stigma.
Security agencies and traditional leaders have also been engaged to support the field teams.
Stakeholders say the findings will help Lagos State refine its HIV response and measure progress toward epidemic control, particularly in identifying treatment gaps and improving access to antiretroviral therapy.