Health ministry alarmed by unsafe sex practices amid HIV fight

Namibia&#039;s health ministry has expressed concerns about sex workers reportedly failing to practice safe sex in return for higher earnings, highlighting the increased risk of contracting HIV/AIDS.An investigation by the Namibian Sun found that such behaviour is sometimes a deliberate choice made by women engaged in commercial sexual activities. Some sex workers have admitted to taking the risk of having sex without a condom in hopes of earning more money.This follows an article published in the Namibian Sun, which revealed that ‘jobless youth’ who have ventured into online sex work amid the country&#039;s widespread unemployment crisis offer services to customers for a ‘round without a condom.&#039;In response to the findings, ministry of health executive director Ben Nangombe said this is a risk that is detrimental to their health and the country’s vision of ending HIV/AIDS by 2030.“This will jeopardise the country’s efforts to maintain the HIV epidemic and to control and end Aids by 2030, through the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids (UNAIDS) 95-95-95 targets,” he cautioned.‘High-risk individuals’Nangombe said safeguarding these individuals is of the utmost importance to the health ministry. He, in turn, confirmed that despite the country&#039;s commendable progress in combatting HIV/Aids, young people’s sexual behaviours continue to undermine efforts.“Although HIV affects the wider population, certain groups, such as female sex workers, are commonly regarded as high-risk individuals,” Nangombe noted.He added that sex workers face a significantly higher risk of new HIV infections when practicing unprotected sex and may unintentionally transmit the virus to other populations through intermediary contacts.Recent statistics from the ministry revealed that there are roughly 220 000 people recorded to be living with HIV in Namibia. According to the health executive director, the overall HIV prevalence is estimated to be 8.3% and differs from region to region, ranging from 5.1% in Khomas to 16% in Zambezi.“The overall adult, aged 15 to 49, has an HIV prevalence of about 11%. The adult prevalence in females and males is roughly 14.2% and 7.7%, respectively. HIV prevalence among young women is estimated to be roughly 5.7%, with the prevalence among sex workers estimated to be 29.9%,” Nangombe noted.Efforts to end AidsThe health ministry’s efforts towards ending Aids by 2030 include “working assiduously to ensure the provision of HIV prevention and care services to female sex workers.”Nangombe emphasised that “HIV prevention and care services are free of charge and accessible through all public health facilities in the country."He added that the ministry has specifically focused on providing highly effective and all-encompassing HIV prevention programmes to all populations, including female sex workers."These services include HIV testing services, antiretroviral therapy (ART), condoms and lubricants, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP),” he noted.He added: “We have also strengthened the integration of sexual and reproductive health, family planning and gender-based violence services in public health facilities, focusing on HIV prevention, care and treatment.”Significant progressAccording to Nangombe, government&#039;s proactive strategies, which focus on tailored interventions and improving healthcare accessibility, are crucial for mitigating risks and ensuring sustained progress.“These strategies include expanding outreach and peer-led initiatives in high-activity regions, training clinicians to be more accommodating, and making health services easily accessible to key populations,” he said.He added that statistics by UNAIDS are a testament to the country’s significant progress in combatting HIV/Aids, as it has recorded that 95% of people living with HIV are aware of their status.“Roughly 97% of these people are on ART, with 94% with fully suppressed viral loads. The country is committed to ending AIDS by achieving the 97-97-97 targets by 2028, according to the 2023 to 2028 National Strategic Framework for HIV,” he noted.

Health ministry alarmed by unsafe sex practices amid HIV fight

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-20

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Health ministry alarmed by unsafe sex practices amid HIV fight

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-20

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