By Michael Kofi Kenetey
Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) remains a major public health challenge among young people and students due to limited access to accurate information, peer pressure, stigma and risky behaviours. As a result, educating students on the need for sexual abstinence, prevention, responsible decision-making and the benefits of early testing is essential to promoting a healthy lifestyle and reducing new HIV infections.
In line with this, the Eastern Regional branch of the National Youth Authority (NYA) has embarked on an HIV/AIDS education advocacy programme for students at Oti Boateng Senior High School in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital.
The advocacy, among other objectives, aims to educate students on the risks and prevention of HIV, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), promote responsible choices and provide safe and confidential access to essential health services.
The programme, which saw the participation of more than 2,000 students, offered them the opportunity to ask questions about the virus. In addition, they were offered free and confidential HIV testing and counselling services.
In an interview with GBC News, the Eastern Regional Director of the NYA, Evelyn Enyonam Lotsu, revealed that some young people are resorting to the use of contraceptive pills rather than condoms or sexual abstinence, which prevents pregnancy but does not protect against HIV/AIDS. She emphasised that it was against this backdrop that the authority, which facilitates youth development in the region, decided to embark on the advocacy targeting students, especially those in second cycle institutions.
The Programmes Officer, Priscilla Owusu, said HIV infections appear to be rising, particularly among the youth, and therefore the authority deemed it necessary to intensify awareness creation on the virus.
A resource person at the programme, who doubles as the New Juaben North HIV/AIDS Coordinator, Eugene Opoku Asante, commended the students for their comportment, participation and the quality of questions they asked. He urged them to be cautious in making decisions concerning unhealthy relationships, stressing that HIV is real.
Some students who spoke to GBC News noted that the programme had served as an eye-opener on the causes of the virus and how they could focus on their education and abstain from sex.
