In Mbarara District, a rising tide of new HIV/AIDS infections has sparked panic among residents and leaders.
According to Chris Nahabwe, the dedicated HIV/AIDS focal person for Mbarara district, a concerning trend has emerged. The majority of these new infections are being reported among teenage females and older men.
Recent data from the Uganda AIDS Commission has sent shockwaves through the community, indicating that Mbarara district now ranks second in the nation, trailing only Fort Portal City, in terms of HIV/AIDS prevalence.
Mbarara district’s HIV focal person, Nahabwe Chris, reports a worrying development: this year alone, the district has logged 440 new HIV infections, with a significant proportion occurring among young females and older men.
A recent comprehensive study conducted by the Makerere University School of Public Health unveils a distressing revelation: a significant portion of sexually active students are unaware of crucial HIV prevention methods. This lack of awareness is believed to be a driving force behind the surge in new HIV infections.
In response to this crisis, healthcare professionals are urgently calling for a large-scale awareness campaign targeting high-risk, sexually active segments of the population. This campaign will focus on both prevention and the importance of self-testing to stem the tide of new HIV/AIDS infections in Mbarara.
