The Bolgatanga Municipality is recording a troubling rise in new HIV infections, prompting health authorities to intensify public education ahead of World AIDS Day 2025. Municipal HIV/TB Focal Person, Ruth Atarivi, disclosed the development in an interview on A1 Radio, describing the trend as “steady and significant.”
According to her, new HIV infections recorded in the first half of 2025 increased to 117, up from 107 during the same period in 2024. Data from January to September show that the municipality has already documented 184 HIV-positive cases among non-pregnant women, 21 cases among pregnant women, and six babies born with the virus.
Madam Atarivi said the situation is deeply worrying, stressing that the numbers point to sharp increases that require urgent intervention. Of the 184 individuals diagnosed, only 146 have started treatment, leaving 38 people yet to begin medication. She attributed some of the delays to misinformation, including individuals seeking approval from spiritual leaders before accepting treatment.
Explaining how cases are detected, she said many individuals report to health facilities with symptoms of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), during which health workers recommend HIV testing. Others voluntarily walk in for testing.
“Mostly, people come in with certain STI conditions, and through their signs and symptoms, we recommend that they be tested. Through those ones, we get some. Some people just walk in,” she said.
She revealed that the most affected age group is 25 to 29 years, with women accounting for the highest number of infections. She linked the trend to biological vulnerability and risky sexual behaviours, including multiple sexual partners.
Madam Atarivi also expressed serious concern over the behaviour of adolescents in the municipality. She said some young people, including those as young as 13 and 14, are engaging in early sexual activity without knowledge of HIV prevention. Many rely solely on contraceptives to prevent pregnancy, neglecting condom use and increasing their risk of infection.
“Engaging in sex very early without knowing how to even protect yourself. What they know is ‘I don’t want to get pregnant’,” she said.
She emphasized the need for intensified education, noting that young people lack basic understanding of HIV transmission. As part of efforts to address the rising cases, the municipal health team has begun scaling up awareness campaigns ahead of World AIDS Day on December 1.
Source: a1radionline.com|101.1Mhz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga
