Students in institutions of higher learning have been asked to shun promiscuous behavior to avoid contracting Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies.
Kisumu County Director of Public Health and Sanitation, Dr. Fredrick Oluoch noted that the county has the highest number of men living with HIV in the country, with over 50,000 on Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART).
He was speaking at Jomo Kenyatta Sports Grounds in Kisumu during World Aids Day celebrations.
Dr. Oluoch urged them to practice abstinence lamenting that cases of teenage pregnancies had increased significantly, stressing that education was very crucial for the development of youth and their communities.
This coupled with rising cases of drugs and substance abuse amongst men, he said, has led to an increase in cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) further contributing to the spread of the virus.
The Director also called on parents to be on the lookout on the whereabouts of their children to ensure their safety.
He said that the number of HIV cases in the area had dropped from 12,643 in 2013 to 1,730 in 2023 across all age groups.
The mortality rate, he added, also dropped from 3,901 in 2013 to 1,761 in 2023 with the highest number being men.
“Even though this is a big stride, the mortality rate is too high. That is why we are advocating for early diagnosis so that treatment is initiated early to reduce the number,” he said.
The county government with support from the national government and partners, he added, has managed to achieve 91% ART coverage with a total of 128,000 people put on medication.
To address drugs and substance abuse, his department has rolled out Methadone therapy at Jaramogo Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital to rehabilitate addicts.
YOU MAY ALSO READ:
There will be no transfer of learners in secondary school next year, PS says
The programme, he added, is supported by satellite tobacco rehabilitation centers established across the eight sub-counties, calling on men struggling with drug abuse to make use of the services.
He called for a paradigm shift in the fight against the virus saying more efforts should be directed to men and boys to reverse the tide.
“We are telling men it is high time that you know your status. Don’t wait until you are very sick to know your HIV status, blood sugar or pressure,” he said.
Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo cautioned parents against hiding children who are victims of teenage pregnancies and rape saying they risked arrest and prosecution.
“Some men believe that sleeping with these young girls is a cure to HIV. That is why we have intensified efforts to ensure that any reported case is acted upon and the perpetrators prosecuted,” he said.
By Fredrick Odiero
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
