NAN-HG-24
Sex
Abakaliki, Dec. 1, 2016 (NAN) The Ebonyi State Action Committee on AIDS (EBOSACA) has advised youths to stay safe and avoid risky behaviours that can expose them to HIV and AIDS.
The Coordinator of the committee, Dr Augustie Nwazunku, gave the advise in Abakaliki on Thursday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to mark the World AIDS Day.
Nwazunku said the committee had made the rate of infection to drop significantly, adding that people living with the virus had access to antiretroviral drugs.
He noted that the only way to avoid the virus was staying safe and avoiding risky behaviours that could expose one to it.
“It is important to emphasise and also drum it into the ears of our youths who constitute the most vulnerable group that abstinence which is staying safe and non indulgence in risky behaviours remain the surest way of avoiding the virus.
“Alcoholism, drug abuse and unprotected sex are some of the high risk behaviours that expose people to the the virus, ” Nwazunku said.
He explained that EBOSACA had waged a war against the spread of the virus through its radio and television programmes and road shows.
He urged the public not to stigmatise those living with the virus and to regularly go for testing and counseling in the approved centres.
“We say no to stigmatisation. If you stigmatise a person living with the virus, others will not be willing to declare their status for fear of being stigmatised.
“We also encourage people to regularly go for testing and counseling to be sure of their status.
“If you are HIV positive and detect it on time, you will be placed on the antiretroviral therapy and other life-saving drugs that will boost the immune system,” he added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dec. 1 of every year is set aside as World AIDS Day to address the problems posed by the pandemic. (NAN)
ODO/MVO
(Edited by Mbadiwe Okwor)