Protect all groups at risk of catching HIV

The groups identified in the new study; sex workers, homosexuals and drug addicts may seem remote from some of our worlds but if we refuse to act now, we will soon find ourselves caught up in the sexual web. FILE PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • The issue: Fight against HIV.
  • Our view: Failing to address the HIV problems of today will create bigger ones tomorrow. The groups identified in the new study; sex workers, homosexuals and drug addicts may seem remote from some of our worlds but if we refuse to act now, we will soon find ourselves caught up in the sexual web.

Recently released results from a 10-year observational study by Makerere University School of Public Health and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) among key populations including sex workers and homosexuals indicates an HIV rate at 12 per cent, which is double the national average.

The study highlights that though the disease prevalence is high, access to relevant advice and health services for these at-risk groups is low or absent. Access to preventive methods such as condoms, testing and treatment for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections is low. These findings should not just alarm us in the moment but should provide the reality check that is needed in the fight against HIV.

Researchers must be commended for bringing out these facts on HIV infection. However, while key groups have been identified in various studies in recent years as vulnerable to contracting HIV, focused approaches on targeting these groups are still lacking.

As far back as 10 years ago, married women were identified as one of the groups most at risk of contracting HIV. Young women and girls are also affected to a large extent. We should, therefore, endeavour to understand the reasons behind this vulnerability of women and invest in finding remedies which address the root cause, otherwise these statistics will keep on surfacing every year. Violence against women is one factor that seems to fuel the spread of HIV and related illnesses.
Worse still, if infection spikes in a particular group, such as sex workers, then it is bound to affect the numbers of new infections among their partners.

Failing to address the HIV problems of today will create bigger ones tomorrow. The groups identified in the new study; sex workers, homosexuals and drug addicts may seem remote from some of our worlds but if we refuse to act now, we will soon find ourselves caught up in the sexual web.
The individuals who make up these key groups at risk are all part of society and if we want to consolidate the gains made in the fight against HIV, no member of society should be left behind.

Let us have an honest discussion about the required interventions to prevent the spread of HIV within and outside at-risk populations. It is about time we faced reality instead of hoping that if refuse to see it, the scourge will go away.

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