Ghanaians have been urged to prioritise their health and well-being with utmost responsibility and self-awareness during the Valentine’s Day celebration.
In a statement issued and signed by the President of the Ghana HIV and AIDS Network (GHANET), Ernest Amoabeng Ortsin, said as a network, with about three decades of experience in the fight against HIV and AIDS in Ghana, they still find it worrying that the number of persons living with HIV continues to increase.
It said as of December 2023, the total estimated number of persons living with HIV in the country stood at 334,000. With about 35,460 new persons getting diagnosed with HIV
It therefore “reminded the youth, especially, not to allow the sweetness of love to cloud their sense of sobriety and propriety.
While acknowledging that love and intimacy are essential aspects of human connection, we believe they must be expressed with utmost responsibility and self-awareness”.
It said even though the national HIV prevalence of 1.53% may seem low, the rate of new infections, especially in recent times, is quite alarming and therefore advised the youth to be measured in everything they do during the romantic season.
The Network also advised people particularly the youth to avoid Risky Sexual Behaviors such as unprotected sex, multiple sexual partners, sex parties, hookups, and substance abuse which significantly increases vulnerability to HIV infection.
“Practice safe sex through the consistent and correct use of condoms (which are available at pharmacies, health facilities, and other community-based outlets, and abstain from sex if conditions are not right since abstinence is the safest HIV prevention method,” it stated.
The group further asked Ghanaians to use the opportunity to test and know their HIV status while those who may not be comfortable testing in public could opt for HIV Self Testing (HIVST) kits.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah