HIV prevalence among pregnant women increase in Brong-Ahafo

HIV prevalence among pregnant women in the Brong-Ahafo Region has increase, Mr Emmanuel Obeng Hinneh, Brong-Ahafo Regional HIV/TB Coordinator, said on Thursday.

Speaking at a forum on unsafe abortion in Sunyani, Mr Hinneh said HIV prevalence among pregnant mothers in the Region increased marginally from 2.0 percent in 2012 to 2.1 percent in 2013.

The forum was organized by Global Media Foundation (GLOMEF), a human rights non-governmental organization, with support from Safe Abortion Fund and attended by assembly members, queen mothers, media practitioners and civil society organizations.

Mr Hinneh said the highest HIV prevalence among pregnant women was recorded at the Wenchi Sentinel site, a rise from 2.8 percent to 3.8 percent within the same period.

He mentioned early but unprotected sexual practices by adolescent girls as a result of low economic activities and influx of migrant workers from Cote d’Ivoire during the construction of the Bui Dam as some of the factors that contributed to the high prevalence in the Wenchi HIV Sentinel site.

He said there had been a reduction in the Sunyani, Kintampo and Goaso sentinel sites.

Mr Hinneh said the Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service in collaboration with the Technical Support Unit of the Ghana AIDS Commission had put in place measures to help minimize the spread of HIV.

These measures include provision of consistent, structured and targeted HIV education on FM radio stations and community information centers, HIV education durbars spearheaded by opinion leaders, free health screening including HIV testing and BP measurement and behavioural change among adolescent as well as condom distribution and promotion.

Mr Hineh appealed to all stakeholders including the media, civil society organizations, district assemblies, traditional rulers and religious leaders to collaborate and help bring the HIV situation under control.