Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene has revealed that, the tendency of women contracting HIV is higher than that of men.
In a recent interview on Happy98.9FM’s Morning Show with host, Kwadwo Sefah-Danquah, he explained the significant role of heterosexual contact in HIV transmission in Africa, particularly among women.
He said “In Africa, most people are infected through heterosexual contact. Women are at risk of contracting the disease due to biological factor, cultural factors as well as other socio- cultural issues that disfavors women.”
Dr Kyeremeh Atuahene also mentioned that, women are more susceptible to HIV due to behavioral factors and gender inequality in our society, he said “women are subjected to obey men, though a woman is aware of her partner’s promiscuity. When women advocate for safer sex practices, they may face resistance or even violence from male partners termed as gender based violence .”
According to the Ghana AIDS Commission, as of 2023, an estimated 334,095 people are living with HIV in Ghana, with women and girls accounting for 65.3% of infections.
Men on the other hand are advised by The Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission to prioritize safe sex practices to reduce the transmission of HIV. He said, “men-to-women transmission rates are significantly higher than women-to-men, ranging from 9% to 12% compared to less than 3%. It is vital that men prioritize using condoms consistently and correctly, men can significantly reduce their risk of infecting their partners and themselves.”
World AIDS Day, provides an an opportunity for every community and individual to honor the more than 32 million people who have died worldwide from AIDS-related illness. This year,World AIDS Day on 1st December 2024 is themed, “Take the right path: My health, my right! Speak up for health equity,”
Written by: Stephanie Akoto
