HIV AND THE NIGERIAN CHILD: MY ADVICE TO MY PEERS

You must read this is unedited thought of a 12-year-old Nigerian Child.
Introduction
HIV is the short form for “Human Immunodeficiency Virus”. This is the virus that causes the dreaded “Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)". While AIDS is very popular amongst the Nigerian Children, HIV is not. Unfortunately, HIV worsens to AIDS. So there comes the need to educate every Nigeria Child about the dangers this killer-virus poses to our future.

Brief History
According to Wikipedia (an online free Encyclopaedia), HIV/AIDS was first discovered between 1980 and 1981. And as at 2006, 25 years after its discovery, it had killed more than 25 million people. In 2005 alone, AIDS claimed an estimated 2.4 – 3.3 million lives; 570,000 were children.
During my research, I also found out that Nigeria has the third-largest population of people living with HIV/AIDS and this revelation motivates me to writing this article with more energy than a school-work demands as much as it scares me.

The FactsheetUnited Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is an international organization working for children’s right, their survival, development and protection. In 2007, UNICEF released a fact-sheet on Nigeria and it was revealed that:

1. An estimated 3.5 to 3.8 million people were living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria;
2. 4.7 per cent of the above estimate, were between 20 and 24 years old;
3. 4.9 per cent of 25 – 29 years were affected by the virus;
4. 4.4 per cent of women attending antenatal clinics are infected with HIV;
5. About 240,000 children were living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria; and
6. Sadly, about 930,000 children had been orphaned by AIDS;

My fear for the Nigerian ChildThe Nigerian Child is one that is defined by many expressions. A lot of these expressions bother me. In all, they paint to me a little helpless child who is not only able to survive without support and guidance; he is also largely neglected by his community.

As a result of this neglect, he freely roams the streets seeking food and shelter. He is without education and he is totally vulnerable. In this search for survival, HIV/AIDS is one of the several dangers that await an innocent Nigerian child.

While some of us are lucky to have great parents, who care, cater and love us, I wonder if there exists anyone anywhere who cares, caters and loves the Nigerian child.

Preventing the Nigerian Child from HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS, from my research, can only be transmitted in a number of ways. They are:
1. Blood: If infected blood comes into contact with any open wound, HIV may be transmitted. This includes the sharing of sharp objects such as Injections, clippers, razor blades and even needles. Children who engage in tattoos and piercing are also exposed to HIV.

2. Mother-to-Child: The transmission of the virus from mother to the child during pregnancy, childbirth and breast-feeding.

3. Sexual: Children that engage in early sexual relationships, as shown by records, are more exposed to HIV. While we are encouraged to love one another, we must equally avoid sexual relationships. They only known results of early sexual relationships are poverty, illiteracy, neglect and even, death. Therefore, children should be exposed to sex education and be encouraged to totally avoid any sexual relationships.

My advice for my peersThe Nigerian Child is largely neglected. And thinking about this little opportunity to explore the dangers HIV/AIDS poses to children, my utmost appreciation goes to my lovely parents and my teachers. There is no way I would be able to learn about HIV/AIDS if I was not cared for by my parents and if this assignment was not given.

I will like to use this opportunity to advice my peers and other Nigerian children that the most important habit to develop is Obedience. We have been educated about HIV/AIDS. Now, while our parents and teachers are not looking, can we be the obedient children who heed to advice all of the time knowing that HIV/AIDS has no cure?