New approaches required to effect attitudinal changes

Toh-Kpalime, May 26, GNA- Dr Winfred Ofosu, Kpando District Director of Health, has called for new approaches to effect attitudinal changes among Ghanaians towards the fight against HIV/AIDS in the country.

He said unless the country prevented the spread of the disease, national development objectives could not be achieved. Dr Ofusu was addressing the Volta Region Midwives Day celebration under the theme: "HIV is a global pandemic- a challenge for Midwives" at Toh-Kpalime in the South-Dayi District.

He expressed worry that even though there was evidence to show that information about the disease had reached parts of the country, some people especially the youth had ignored the message.

Dr Ofosu urged midwives, particularly those in the rural areas to intensify their efforts at preventing the spred of the disease. He observed that women were vulnerable to the disease and that out of every three people infected with HIV, two were females.

Dr Ofusu also said 9 out of every 10 people with HIV 9 fell between 15-49 years out of which the affected women were aged 15-24 years while the men were between 30-39 years.

Dr Ofosu said studies also indicated that older men preferred younger women as sex partners and urged women to avoid sexual promiscuity to enable them to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS.

Mr Edward Azah, Presiding Member of the South-Dayi District Assembly, asked married couples, especially husbands to be faithful to their partners adding, "Be content with one wife or one husband. We are capable of applying the brakes on the spread of HIV/AIDS but the decision is ours".

He observed that wives were at the mercy of their husbands because polygamy was permitted.

Madam Agnes Ofori-Amankwa, Volta Region Chairperson of the Ghana Registered Midwives Association (GRNA), expressed worry that the capacity of midwives was not being fully utilized in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

She suggested that maternity homes should be well equipped to enable personnel there deal with cases involving pregnant women with the disease.

Madam Ofori-Amankwa said even though there were no records to refer to, the HIV/AIDS threat in the area was real.