University students tipped on HIV prevention

Health experts have urged University students to stick to ABC (Abstinence, be faithful, use a condom) strategy as the only way to prevent HIV/AIDS among youth and adolescents.

Speaking during the Inter-University youth conference on Gender, the manager medical care Baylor Uganda Dr. Jacqueline

Jane Nandawula interacting with Manager Medical Care at Baylor Dr. Jacqueline Balungi during Inter- University Youth Conference on Gender at Makerere University on 10/3/2016.photo by Mary Kansiime

Balungi said; young people are at risk of contracting HIV, adding that there is need to have more action to ensure that they live healthy.

 She also advised the students to have a culture of testing for HIV and if they are found to be positive they should seek for medical care immediately.

Former Minister of Ethics Miria Matembe addressing university students from 8 Universities in Uganda during Inter- University Youth Conference on Gender at Makerere University on 10/3/2016.photo by Mary Kansiime

Balungi added that; 'HIV is not a death sentence, with care people living positive  have the same life expectance like those who don't have the disease,'

The conference attracted students from Makerere University, Uganda Christian University, and Law Development centre, Ndejje University, Muteesa Royal and International University of East Africa among others.

According to the recent data by United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) each week in Uganda, 570 young women aged between 15 and 24 years get infected with HIV.

In Africa, Uganda is second to South Africa where 2,363 people get infected with HIV weekly, compared to 468 for Kenya, 491, for Tanzania, 25 for Rwanda and 2 for Burundi.

 The figure is just one of the many statistics that confirm that too many girls in this age group in Uganda are dangerously sexually active, most especially those aged 20-24 years.

Former Minister of Ethics Miria Matembe addressing university students from 8 Universities in Uganda during Inter- University Youth Conference on Gender at Makerere University on 10/3/2016.photo by Mary Kansiime

The findings of the Uganda AIDS Indicator Survey 2011, also shows that  the average Ugandan girl begins to have sex at the age of 17 although many of them are already sexually active by the age of 15 while a few remain virgins until their 20s.

Former Ethics and Integrity Minister Miria Matembe advised the students to always have a vision in life as this will help them succeed in life stating that the power is in their hands.

The outspoken Matembe told the students that women and the young people are treated undeservingly that is to say being marginalized because of their "helplessness" hence advising them to stop the blame game at all costs.