18 Feb 2014

Department of Buildings and Engineering Services (DBES) staff in Tsabong has been encouraged to shun risky sexual behaviour and adopt safer sexual practices.

Speaking during a wellness campaign, the HIV coordinator in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology (MIST), Ms Kgaotsang Kamwi, appealed to DBES staffers to adopt, correct and consistent condom use, safe male circumcision as well as refraining from multiple concurrent partners (MCP).

“HIV/AIDS remains one of the greatest health and social challenges in Botswana and the construction industry has not been spared hence the need to take care of themselves,” she said. Ms Kamwi also encouraged DBES employees to make their health a priority as they were responsible for management of mega projects.

Speaking at the same event, Senior Superintendant Supt Masilo Motswiri, urged men to wise up as they were in control of sexual practices. He warned that because of the migrant nature of DBES employees, they may be exposed to HIV infection because they spend a long time away from their partners.

Mr Motswiri warned that research have found that migrant workers were associated with multiple concurrent partnerships, intergenerational and transactional sex where monetary power and age difference may take precedence over correct and consistent condom use.

Mr Daniel Molefhe of the district commissioner’s office said the Kgalagadi District was afflicted by sexually transmitted diseases, high rates of teenage pregnancy and reluctance to circumcise.

Mr Molefhe decried lack of interest where people would not consult health practitioners but would rely solely on hearsays in their decision making. He called on the people in the Kgalagadi South District Health Management Team to take advantage of the fact that at least 90 per cent of the population have access to health facilities and services. ENDS