HIV rate drops by half in Bukoba Municipality

BUKUBA, KAGERA: THE HIV infection rate in Bukoba Municipality has slightly dropped from 2.2 per cent recorded during 2023 to 0.9 per cent this year, it has been disclosed.

HIV Coordinator for Bukoba Municipality, Ms Faraja Chaula made the remarks during the commemoration of the World AIDS Day held at Kashai Ward.

“It is encouraging that the HIV rate in Bukoba Municipality has dropped from 2.2 per cent recorded during 2023 to 0.9 per cent this year. However, more efforts were still needed to ensure that the disease is completely eliminated,’ she said.

She explained that about 497 patients were confirmed to have contracted HIV and have been advised to use ARVs.

HIV/AIDS has been recognised as a social disease and its aftermath is attributed to social sexual behaviour. According to Ms Chaula, women are more vulnerable to the disease due to unequal right and access to basic necessities of life such as education. Cultural beliefs and imposture have increased women risks and restricted their decision regarding risky behaviour.

“Cultural practices such as early marriage and adolescent pregnancies cause girls to drop out of school at early age, thereby undermining their economic status. This makes them to be completely dependent on their husbands and opposite sex for survival,” she said.

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“Polygamy and widow inheritance are other cultural practices that contribute to the incidence of HIV/ AIDS among women. Other practices such as malechild preference, women circumcision, polygamy, and use of contraceptives have significant implications on HIV/AIDS infection. Some men also refuse to wear condoms because they claim it is not in their culture to do so,” she said.

Speaking during the event, an official from the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) Mr Manyama Venance, warned against norms that lead to fast spreading of HIV/AIDS.

‘Concerted efforts are still needed to combat HIV/AIDS. Risky behaviour include corruption in places of employment. We must all take heed and each one of us has a role in this fight,” he said