The high prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS among adolescents is coupled with low levels of viral load suppression among HIV-infected young individuals.
Dr. Icumar Simon Omeke, the Katakwi District Health Officer (DHO), revealed in an interview that the high infection rate among the youth is attributed to early and unprotected sex, alcoholism, and opium smoking.
He also added that idleness among the youth in the rapidly growing trading centers has accelerated HIV/AIDS infections.
“In the villages of Magoro, Ollilim, and Ising, in fact, the whole district has seen a lot of infections registered among the youth,” said Dr. Icumar.
He noted that the youth lack self-discipline and respect, making them more susceptible to infections.
“Most of the youth in Katakwi engage in sex at an early age, and the majority have no idea how to use a condom,” said Dr. Icumar.
The latest preliminary statistics indicate an increase in HIV/AIDS prevalence among the young population in Teso compared to the previous statistics conducted five years ago, which indicated a 3.7 percent prevalence.
“These young men and women don’t take care of themselves anymore; it’s all about who cares. They fear pregnancy more than HIV,” said Dr. Icumar.
He appealed to the youth to always use condoms to avoid contracting HIV/AIDS.
“When you’re going to engage in sexual activity, be armed with a condom. We need to take care of our lives by preventing our bodies from contracting diseases,” said Dr. Icumar.
He emphasized the need for earlier prevention and testing interventions among at-risk adolescents, particularly girls and young women.
“As we speak now, HIV is still the biggest threat in the district. The 4.5 percent prevalence means that in every 20 individuals, at least one person is living with it,” Dr. Icumar said.
Unfortunately, he added, with HIV/AIDS, once someone acquires it, they live with it for life with the potential of spreading it to other people.
“Someone continues to spread it as long as they are still sexually active, which exposes others to the risk,” he said.
This calls for the need for earlier prevention and testing interventions among at-risk adolescents, particularly girls and young women.
