The Ghana AIDS Commission has highlighted a concerning trend of increasing HIV cases in the country, particularly among young people.
According to the Commission, individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 are engaging in high-risk unprotected sex, leading to a surge in HIV infections.
Dr Steve Kyeremeh Atuahene, the Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, expressed his concerns, stating that reckless behavior and a lack of concern for health are contributing to the rise in infections among young people.
He emphasized the need for young people to take responsibility for their health and highlighted the alarming statistics from the 2014 Demographic and Health Survey report. The report revealed that young people are often exposed to high-risk sexual encounters without protection, leading to a lack of HIV prevention knowledge and low condom usage.
The latest Demographic and Health Survey report by the Ghana AIDS Commission exposed the startling reality that over 45,000 young people between the ages of 15 and 24 are currently HIV positive. Additionally, the overall number of Ghanaians living with the disease has surpassed 355,000, with a significant portion of individuals unaware of their status.
These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to educate, empower, and protect young people against the risks of HIV. With females accounting for nearly 240,000 cases and males close to 115,000 infections, it is crucial to address the root causes of these alarming statistics and provide support for those living with HIV.
