BY DRAXON MALOYA
A recent study aimed at examining the new HIV/Aids prevalence rate in the country has shown that there is an increase in young mothers contracting the disease.
However, this is in sharp contrast to some recent media reports indicating that the percentage of adolescent girls and young girls between 15-24 year age bracket has reached 35 percent infection rate.
According to National Aids Commission Public Relations Officer, Karen Msiska, the 2021 Epidemiological Estimates for Malawi shows that 33% of new HIV infections comprises adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24; not 35% and not 15-21.
Msiska said reasons for the problem are more than just the girls hostel issue which is suggested to be the challenge in most public secondary schools but also some social, cultural and economic shortfalls.
“According to the 2021 HIV Epidemiological Estimates for Malawi, 33% of all new infections comprises adolescent Girls and Young Women aged 15-24,” Msiska said.
The NAC Publicist further stated that most of those in the 15-24 year age group are also in higher learning institutions where several conditions put them at further risk.
“The issue of self boarding exposes them because there is little control as compared to those on campus where they are somehow monitored by the hostel matrons. The need for them to provide for themselves exposes them to the predatory men who use their money to sexually abuse them.
“This is also due to a number of social, cultural and economic reasons. Some of those contracting the HIV are just entering puberty and would like to experiment what they have heard about sex. Unfortunately, they lack accurate information and end up contracting the virus,” he said.
However, he concluded saying as for the situation in higher learning institutions, these are not just for public tertiary institutions, referring to the HIV and AIDS Strategy for Higher Education Institutions.
Meanwhile, according to the 2021 HIV Epidemiological Estimates for Malawi the country is close to achieving the 2020 UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets, which include 90% of people with HIV knowing their status, 90% of them accessing ARVS and 90% of those on treatment being virally suppressed.
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