Fears over upsurge in HIV AIDS and unplanned pregnancies allayed

National AIDS Control Council Turkana region coordinator Bernard Mwaura has allayed fears that the curfew that started on Friday would lead to an upsurge in new HIV /AIDS infections and unplanned pregnancies in the county.
Mwaura said the council has provided condoms in designated border points and lodges within the county to prevent the spread of HIV /AIDS and unplanned pregnancies.
“Condoms have been availed in designated border points and lodges within the county, ” said Mwaura.
Mwaura said the measure was to ensure that people practice safe sex during the curfew days.
The introduction of the curfew means that some people who do not make it to their homes before 7pm would be forced to spend nights in lodgings.
He said there was need to advocate for safe practices.
He also added that the government had put in place measures to support family planning.
The county HIV AIDS prevalence shot from 3.2 percent to 6.8 percent raising concerns among the stakeholders in the health sector.
Poverty and poor parenting are some of the factors contributing to the spread of HIV/ AIDS and unplanned pregnancies in the county.
By Peter Gitonga