Municipal Health Promotion Officer at the Bolgatanga Health Directorate, Francisca Adongo, has raised concerns about the growing vulnerability of women and young people to HIV infections, highlighting a combination of social and economic factors that continue to put women at heightened risk.
According to her, many women in the Upper East Region face limitations in decision-making and financial independence, making them more vulnerable in relationships and less empowered to negotiate safe sexual practices. These structural challenges, she noted, significantly contribute to the higher infection rates recorded among women.
“When you also look at our side of the country, women are vulnerable. Vulnerable in decision making, vulnerable financially, and it’s also a contributing factor to more women being infected.”
Speaking during an engagement on A1 Radio, Madam Adongo also expressed deep concern about the attitudes of young people toward HIV education. She observed that many adolescents and young adults demonstrate a carefree response to sensitization efforts, often dismissing the risks associated with the virus. She explained that because the youth have not witnessed the severe physical impact historically associated with HIV—largely due to the effectiveness of modern antiretroviral treatment—they tend to underestimate the seriousness of the disease.
She added that the improved appearance of individuals on treatment creates a false perception that HIV carries minimal consequences, reinforcing complacency among the younger population.
“Anytime you want to talk to the young ones, they’ll tell you ‘all die be die’. But I think the unfortunate thing is, these people have not really grown up to see someone with the disease, so they don’t really have much information about the disease, and they are not scared,” she said.
She urged renewed focus on targeted education for women and youth, stressing that behavioural change and awareness remain crucial in reversing the rising infection trends.
Source: a1radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga
