Mothers have been encouraged to know their HIV status before they conceive or immediately after conception to avoid mother to child HIV transmission.
According the Busia County HIV Coordinator, Constance Were, a number of expectant mothers do not know their HIV status, while others default or completely refuse to take ARVs, since they have tested HIV positive.
“As a program we would really want all our mothers to give birth to children who will test HIV negative,” she said, adding that HIV transmission from mother to child in the County has reduced from last year’s 12 % to 11%.
Were added that new HIV infections among adolescents and young adults in the county stands at 42.3%, higher than the national one that stands at 41%.
“This year we are 42.3% and last year we were at 43%,” she said, adding that there was a slight improvement yet it was not good for the youth.
She called for collaborative efforts with stakeholders at the community level in order to race against time.
The coordinator further noted that the uptake of PREP was very low at the facility level, adding that the health department should make efforts to ensure that the drug is at the community level.
“This is a drug that is supposed to be monitored, yet the community wants to access it at the grassroots level,’’ she said.
Were advised the youth to abstain from sex, be faithful or use condoms to avoid being infected with HIV/AIDs.
Busia Chief Officer for Health, Wilberforce Lusamba noted that a number of teenagers below 18 years’ access family planning not knowing that this cannot protect them from HIV/AIDs.
Lusamba urged the local residents to ensure that widows are tested before they engage in wife inheritance.
Busia County Commissioner Mwachaunga Chaunga noted that the County’s HIV status was on the downward trajectory, while there was an increase in new infections among the youth.
Chaunga urged the youth to take good care against the triple threat that can interfere with their lives.
“Another challenge is Gender Based Violence,” he said, adding that a number of women were being raped in Butula Sub County with some of the cases being handled in court.
He further stated that teenage pregnancies were also on the rise advising the youth to refrain from teenage sex.
“Unfortunately, there are adults who defile children including those who are mentally challenged,” he said, adding that a perpetrator in Teso South is on the run.
The leaders spoke during a forum to mark the World AIDS Day that was held at Kemodo, Teso South Sub County, Busia County.
By Salome Alwanda
