As the world celebrates Valentine’s Day, the Ghana HIV and AIDS Network (GHANET) is launching a nationwide awareness campaign to remind the public, especially the youth, to prioritize their health and well-being.
According to GHANET, the current HIV prevalence in Ghana stands at 1.53%, with an estimated 334,000 persons living with the virus as of December 2023.
More alarming is the fact that between January and September 2024, about 35,460 persons were newly diagnosed with HIV.
To combat this trend, GHANET is urging the public to take the following precautions:
1. Avoid risky sexual behaviors, such as unprotected sex, multiple sexual partners, and substance abuse.
2. Practice safe sex through consistent and correct use of condoms.
3. Abstain from sex if conditions are not right.
The network is also reminding the public to test and know their HIV status, with options for HIV Self Testing (HIVST) kits available for those concerned about privacy issues.
As the nation celebrates love and intimacy, GHANET is cautioning the youth not to let the sweetness of love cloud their sense of sobriety and propriety. Instead, the network urges them to prioritize their health and well-being, and to spread love, not the virus.
Source: Bernard K Dadzie; Greater Accra Region
