Reducing the incidents of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and the overall Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) rate requires protective sexual behaviour, Dr Susan Ama Amuasi, a Lecturer at the Central University, has said.
She said promoting and practicing protective sexual behaviours, such as consistent and correct condom use, regular testing and treatment, and communication about sexual health, are vital in the fight against HIV and other STIs.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra to commemorate World AIDS Day, Dr Susan Amuasi said, “a comprehensive approach to sexual health, and adopting safe sexual practices are considered as essential steps in reducing the prevalence of infections and fostering a healthier society”.
This year’s World AIDS Day commemoration is on the theme: “let communities lead”.
She stated that communities played vital roles in spreading awareness about the disease and stopping its spread and welcomed the theme.
Dr Amuasi said protective sexual behaviours should also be promoted, especially amongst the youth and encouraged through comprehensive sex education, public health campaigns, and healthcare services to reduce the rate to the barest minimum.
Safe sexual behaviours, she said, would not only protect individual’s health but also contribute to the overall reduction of HIV transmission in communities.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) 2023 report indicates that, about 16,600 new HIV infections have been recorded in Ghana this year.
HIV remains a major global public health issue, having claimed over 40.4 million lives so far with ongoing transmission in all countries globally.
According to the WHO, there are an estimated 39.0 million people living with HIV at the end of 2022, two thirds of whom, representing 25.6 million, are in the WHO African Region.
In 2022, about 630, 000 people died from HIV-related causes and 1.3 million people acquired HIV globally.
Ghana’s HIV population, according to the National HIV Prevalence and Estimates published by the Ghana Aids Commission last year, shows that some 354,927 persons are infected with HIV.
Some 16,574 new infections were recorded in 2022, with 20 years and above accounting for 7,179, adolescents aged 10 to 19 years, 645 infections, whilst children, zero to 14 years, 2,180.
Those statistics, Dr. Amuasi noted, were frightening and that it was crucial to take immediate and comprehensive action to reverse the trend with a coordinated efforts involving the government, healthcare providers, Non-Governmental Organisations, communities, and individuals.
Speaking on the factors that contribute to high sexual transmission rate, she said, limited knowledge about HIV transmission and prevention led to risky sexual behaviours while inadequate sex education and stigma surrounding HIV hindered individuals from taking protective measures.
Also, Dr Amuasi said, “while some individuals underestimate the importance of condom use, others face barriers to accessing condoms, irregular or incorrect use of condoms during sexual intercourse, increasing the risk of HIV transmission.
“Engaging in sexual activity with multiple partners, especially without consistent condom use or knowledge of their partners’ HIV status, raises the risk of exposure to HIV and other STI,” Dr. Susan Amuasi intimated.
The Sexual and Reproductive health expert added that, factors like economic vulnerability and limited access to healthcare delivery had exacerbated the issues of HIV transmission.
“Stigma associated with HIV can discourage individuals from getting tested and seeking treatment,” she stressed and said the fear of disclosure could prevent open communication about HIV status with sexual partners.
According to her, gender-based violence could increase the vulnerability of individuals to HIV transmission as victims of violence may have limited control over their sexual encounters and may be unable to negotiate safe sex.
Dr Amuasi said: “If the issues stated are addressed, the HIV and AIDS epidemic will end as a public health threat by 2030 as envisioned by UNAIDS.”
GNA
