High HIV/AIDS prevalence attributed to cross border trade

Budalangi Sub County is the leading region with high HIV/Aids prevalence rate in Busia County with the upsurge attributed to fishing industry, cultural beliefs and cross border trade.

According to a survey carried out by Busia county government, Budalangi leads the pack with HIV/AIDS prevalence rate of 8.3 percent.

“Budalangi is the leading sub county in HIV/aids prevalence rate in this county and this is due to entrenched behaviours of fish for sex, high rate of alcohol and substance abuse, wife inheritance and cross border trade,” reads part of the report.

Matayos Sub County was ranked second with prevalence rate of 7.4 percent.

The rate is attributed to cross border trade and increased commercial sex business in Busia town.

The report indicates that there are estimated over 2000 sex workers in Busia town targeting long distance truck drivers and travelers crossing to the neighboring country.

“Truck drivers presents a ready-made demand for sexual workers in town this has seen an increase of HIV/Aids in the sub county compared to 2011/2012 survey,” reads the report.

The report indicates that Funyula Sub County is third with a prevalence rate of 6.3percentfolowed by Butula Sub County with 5.1 percent, Teso North with 4.2 percent, Teso South with 3.4 percent and Nambale with 3.1percent respectively.

The HIV/ aids prevalence in Teso sub counties was attributed to cultural beliefs that is hindering male circumcision.

Other causes of are high poverty index that currently stands at 65percent, the Trans African Highway in Malaba and Busia borders, cultural issues and illiteracy.

Busia County first lady Judith Ojaamong observed that with an adult prevalence rate of 6.8percent, Busia County firmly remains in the list of top ten counties with high HIV and AIDS burden in the country with women and children bearing the biggest brunt of the scourge.

However, she said there are encouraging signs such as the fact that the prevalence, though high, has steadily dropped.

“The free maternity services has seen a significant rise in the number of mothers delivering in our health facilities under skilled hands from 38.9percent in 2012 and 44.2percent in 2013 to 67.9percent in early 2014. The proportion of HIV positive mothers receiving preventative ARVs has been higher than percent and steadily risen,” she observed.

She was speaking during the launch of ‘Beyond Zero Campaign’ in Busia over the weekend.

The campaigns aims to accelerate the implementation of the national and counties plan towards the elimination of new HIV infections among children.

“The beyond zero campaign therefore seeks to bring together high-level leadership in the county to end new HIV infections among children and keep HIV infected mothers alive.” Mrs. Ojaamong’ cited.

Mrs. Ojaamong’ reiterated that in Busia County the exercise will target 7,700 adults and 234 young children over a period of three months starting in July 2014.

The campaign will involve all the county departments of health under the patronage of all the first ladies in all the 47 counties with technical support from National Aids and STI Control Program (NASCOP) and National Aids Control Council (NACC).

“I therefore take this this opportunity to inform you of  a nationwide HIV counseling and testing Rapid Result  Initiative (HTC-RRI) which is a follow up to this engagement, an exercise that will target 1,000,000 contacts and partners of  HIV positive clients already in our care and 20,000 children for early infant diagnosis.” The first lady said.

Speaking at the launch, the County AIDS coordinator Wilfred Magoba said that in the past 5years, the prevalence rate in Busia has dropped from 14percent to the current 6.8percent.

“We have managed to reduce the number of new infections in the County and related deaths, and discrimination. We have seen more people declare their status in public.”Magoba said.    

…ENDS…