83% of youth infections occur in females – Ghana AIDS Commission

Mr Fred Nana Poku, Technical Manager of the Ghana AIDS Commission, explained on 3FM Sunrise that new infections among the youth between 15 to 24 years were predominately females.

Additionally, although last year saw a slight decline in the rise of new cases of HIV infections, the numbers do not look promising for a country with ambitions involving the youth.

Mr Nana Poku, speaking to Alfred Ocansey, detailed figures of new HIV infections in the country. He said: ” Over the past few years, let’s say 3 or so years, the average number of new HIV infections has been about 21,000. The last year, 2021, the figure we had was about 16,938 new HIV infections in the country.

This is not too good. Though we are seeing some improvements, it is not good at all. We just don’t want to have new HIV infections.”

According to the Technical manager of the Ghana AIDS Commission, most of these new infections were recorded among young people. He disclosed that adolescent girls and young women are at the lead with an 83% count.

Unfortunately, the youth aged 15 to 24 recorded over 4,757 infections. Out of this number, 83% occurred in young females. This means that adolescent girls face the brunt of the condition. So when you take 10 out of the new infections, 8 were in young adolescence.”

Mr Nana Poku also cautioned sexually active young men and women to take preventive measures seriously. He advised them to use preventive protocols to ensure the decline in records of new cases.

“So we are just making a lot of appeal to young ladies and young men but especially the ladies to take care of themselves. They should use the prevention protocols and ensure they don’t get infected.”

Source: 3news.com