Congolese refugees test for HIV/AIDS

Aug 01, 2012

The Aids Information Center has started occasional routine visits to the refugee transit center at Nyakabande in Kisoro district to carry out

By Attractor Kmahoro

The Aids Information Center (AIC) has started occasional routine visits to the refugee transit center at Nyakabande in Kisoro district to carry out voluntary counseling, HIV/AIDS testing and condom distribution, which started last week.

Speaking to the health team at the transit center, the south western regional HIV prevention officer Alex Rukundo said all the 190 clients screened for HIV, tested negative.

 "But that does not mean they are safe," he said. The centre has refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo who crossed into Uganda as a result of fighting between rebels and Government troops in the east of that country.

He said though the positivity rate was very low, there was need for health information because once HIV enters a community it spreads fast. Rukundo said he could not explain the low positivity rate but refugees who spoke to the New Vision said in many Congolese cultures, sex before marriage and adultery were strictly prohibited. He further said demand for condoms was high.

The district population officer David Bazanye who is also the HIV/AIDS focal person said condom distribution among refugees was a timely intervention.

 

 

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