Worry as the use of condoms drops by 100 million
A man sitting on a motorbike catches condoms from a health worker delivering free condoms on the international condom day, in the streets of Kampala on February 13, 2021. Photo | File
What you need to know:
- Dr Bagambe said that the clerics should be at the forefront of preaching the gospel of HIV prevention
Officials of the Uganda Aids Commission are worried after the use of male condoms dropped by one million, a scenario that may see an increase in the infections of HIV/Aids in the country.
Dr Bagambe who represented Dr Nelson Musoba, the Director General of Uganda Aids Commission during an engagement with the leaders of Pentecostal, evangelical, and born-again church leaders across the country on Tuesday in Kampala, disclosed that complacency among Ugandans had seen annual condom use drop from 300 million to about 200.18 million amid high new HIV infections.
Dr Bagambe said that the clerics should be at the forefront of preaching the gospel of HIV prevention.
Aids commission estimates that 380,000 people get infected with HIV every year, the majority of whom are adolescent girls and young women between 15 and 24 years.
“Many young people are engaging in risky sexual behaviours and are not using condoms. Even in your congregations, some people might be engaging in risky sex. Recent studies show that condom use among people who are having risky sex is decreasing. We are talking about risky sex meaning, people in multiple relationships, people who are having sex out of excitement, ”Dr Bagambe said, adding, “At one time we used to stock and distribute up to 300million condoms in Uganda. But looking at the latest report released two weeks ago, condom distribution has reduced from 300 million to about 200.18 million condoms. This goes to the fact that the demand for condoms has gone down.”
Dr Bagambe said that an estimated 14 to 15 million Ugandans attend Pentecostal, evangelist, and born again church each week and that this is a powerful platform where HIV prevention messages can be delivered not only to the young but also to the adults.
During the meeting, religious leaders were also advised to deliver the right information to their followers and also encourage them to adhere to treatment.
“One of the reasons we are engaging the religious leaders is that some of them have been sharing incorrect information with their congregations and the few errant ones sometimes sabotage health programs including stopping people from taking their medication,”Dr Bagambe observed.
He added, “’ Today(yesterday, we have given them Handbooks with messages that they can deliver as leaders and parents to young people to reduce the risk of delivering incorrect messages.”
Live responsibly. Abstain from sex. If you have a sexual partner, live with only that one partner. In case you are in a situation where you cannot avoid risky sex, then use condoms and if you are not sure of your HIV status, get tested. If you test negative, abstain, or remain faithful but in the event that you test positive, go and get enrolled on treatment and follow the guidance of health workers.
Dr Bagambe said partnership in ending Aids will save the government from the high expenditure on HIV/AIDS and treatment.
He noted that currently, the government spends over Shs1 trillion on treating and monitoring the 1.3 million people enrolled on treatment.
An estimated 1.4 million are living with HIV/AIDS. The country also registers 20,000 HIV/AIDS-related deaths according to Aids Commission.
Elder Peter Sozi, the Vice Chairperson of the Council for the National Fellowship of Born Again Pentecostal churches in Uganda, said they treasure the health of their followers and they we ready to partner with the government in the fight against the scourge.
Elder Sozi said that although they have been preaching abstinence, faithfulness, and Christ, they would also bring on board condom use as requested by officials from the Aids Commission.
“Now that we are coming into this marriage of working together, we will tolerate that as long as they have the right quality and size of condoms,” he said.
Dr Daniel Byamukama, the head of HIV prevention at the Uganda Aids Commission said all interventions must be promoted to check new infections.
Dr Byamukama said whereas abstinence and faithfulness are very important, these interventions may not be effective for commercial sex workers.
It is estimated that 33 percent of commercial sex workers in major cities and towns of Uganda are living with HIV.
He also tasked religious leaders to support sex education in schools to empower young people with the right information.
The Sexuality Education Policy was put on hold on the grounds that some religious leaders were not comfortable with some of the phrases that were used.
Bishop David Livingstone Kiganda, the founder of Christianity Focus Ministries suggested that the policy should be given a new name, something the Dr Byamukama backed.
Apostle Grace Lubega of Phaneroo Ministries said bridging the information gap, especially among young people is key to HIV prevention.
Reverend Canon Gideon Byamugisha who had lived with HIV for the last 32 years said HIV high should start with addressing stigma and discrimination.
Dr Stephen Watiti, an HIV activist said adherence to treatment can greatly minimize transmission and that both prayer and treatment should be embraced by people living with HIV.
