14 Aug 2013

Francistown District AIDS Coordinator, Ms Goabaone Mathumo has said 4 515 cases of Sexually Transmitted Illnesses (STIs) were recorded between April and June in Francistown.

Speaking at the end of a sensitisation walk organised by Matshelo Community Development Association (MCDA) for hairdressers on August 13, Ms Mathumo said the rate of STIs in Francistown was a concern because it showed that people still engaged in unprotected sex.

She said according to the 2008 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS) Francistown HIV/AIDS prevalence rate was higher than that of national one, a thing that was of great concern. Ms Mathumo said the rate of teenage pregnancies was also of concern saying between April last year and March this year a total of 343 cases were registered while in the last quarter 110 cases were registered.

She lamented that out of the total number, seven children under the age of 15 years were impregnated. She observed that behaviour change, alcohol, drug abuse, stigma and discrimination were still a problem in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The chairperson of MCDA Board, Mr Selelo Mosweu said the objective of MCDA was to increase HIV prevention and awareness by 70 per cent among salon hairdressers aged 20-29 in Francistown by 2014.

He said through the walk and other initiatives MCDA aims at unearthing barriers to behavior change to hairdressers that make individuals more vulnerable to MCP and make corrective measures which promote aspirations for satisfying primary partners in long term relationships based on love and not material benefits.

Mr Mosweu said through such interactions, they aim at creating an environment that will motivate hairdressers and beauticians to move on with life in a way that promote and restore a sense of self-worth and dignity by understanding and resolving their life’s challenges through development of a sense of support and information sharing in Francistown.

Francistown City Mayor, Cllr James Kgalajwe implored the audience to desist from cohabitation and premarital sex. He encouraged hairdressers and beauticians in the City to take advantage of existing government programmes instead of opting for commercial sex work.

He said behavioural change was critical in the fight against HIV/AIDS, saying hairdressers and beauticians should be at forefront as they meet different people.

The Owner of Sophie’s Hair Salon, Sophie Blankenberg urged salon owners to give their employees opportunity to participate in seminars, workshops and other activities that are aimed at fighting HIV/AIDS.

Ms Kenamile Tapologo, a hairdresser, thanked MCDA for its intervention saying the situation in salons has changed as hairdressers and beauticians freely share information on HIV/AIDS and are better positioned to break the chain. Ends