Women, girls most vulnerable

ADOLESCENT girls and young women are seven times more likely to be HIV-positive than males, according to a specialist NGO.

The world commemorated World Aids Day yesterday with the theme “Global solidarity, shared responsibility”. NGO Shout-It-Now that specialises in mobile, community-based HIV counselling, testing and prevention services, said girls and young women between the ages of 15 and 24 are the most vulnerable.

Shout-It-Now chief operating officer Dr Albert Machinda said this group is seven times more likely to be HIV-positive than males.

“With approximately 785 new infections every day in this age group, more needs to be done to test, treat and educate this vulnerable group,” said Machinda.

This group was more exposed to socio-cultural inequalities, making them more vulnerable and less prepared, he said.

“These inequalities, including unemployment, reduced educational opportunities, GBV, among others, disempower girls and make them more vulnerable. As a result, older men take advantage of adolescent girls and young women and offer them life opportunities in exchange for sex.”

Statistics from UNAids shows that 38 million people are living with HIV globally as at the end of 2019. In SA, over 7 million people between the ages 15-49 are HIV-positive, representing 19% of the global HIV burden.

The biggest fight remains against the stigma associated with HIV, getting more people on treatment, he said.

Desmond Tutu HIV Centre Professor Linda-Gail Bekker, said 7.8 million people are living with HIV in SA, around five million people are on standard antiretroviral therapy (ART) and a further three million people are unaccounted for.

“We need to find these people and diagnose them. We need to help them start their ART. Finally, for the best outcomes, we need them to continue on ART into their old age.”

Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo said that with the pandemic came the de-escalation of non-emergency primary healthcare services.

“This has posed a challenge for clients testing and starting antiretroviral treatment (ART). Therefore, the Western Cape has prioritised the scaling up of HIV and TB programmes by initiating new clients and welcoming back ones returning after treatment interruptions.”