05 Mar 2019

Moshupa  continues to record a high number of HIV infections despite efforts by government and other stakeholders.

Dr Kasongo Ngeleza of Moshupa District Health Management Team (DHMT) made this observation on March 2 at the official launch of the Month of Youth Against AIDS (MYAA).

He said even though voluntary testing and counselling was offered in all the 17 health facilities in the district, Botswana AIDS Impact Survey of 2013 indicated that their HIV prevalence was at 11.8 per cent, with the new statistics expected end of this month.

He said of the 3 149 males that tested for HIV in the 2017/2018 period, 143 tested positive while 194 out of 5597 females tested positive. He said for the same period they recorded a total of 1 192 sexually transmitted infection cases, while 105 teenagers fell pregnant, two being below the age of 15.

He said even though the number of people who underwent safe male circumcision was below target, they had an accelerated campaign last year in which 734 males were circumcised. 

He pleaded with the parents and the community at large to join hands in addressing challenges such as drug and alcohol abuse, which is rampant. He said the latter had resulted in high assault cases in Moshupa and surrounding areas. ENDS