Women reluctant to use contraceptives
Research indicates that more men are using contraceptives compared to women in Namibia with around 57% of men making use of it while only 41% of Namibian women do.
This is according to Risto Mushongo from the Namibian Planned Parenthood Association (NAPPA).
Citing a 2016 report by UNAids, Mushongo said that far more men use contraceptives compared to their female counterparts in Namibia.
He also expressed his concern over contraceptive use amongst the youth.
A 2013 report by Namibia's Demographic Health Survey showed that only 24.5%, less than a quarter, of youth aged 15 to 19 use contraceptives and that the pregnancy rate in this group currently stands at 19%.
Another report that focuses on new HIV/Aids infections in southern Africa by Unesco revealed that 45 girls in Namibia are infected with HIV every week.
“Within the eastern and southern Africa they are saying that in Namibia, 45 young girls are infected with HIV per week,” said Mushongo.
According to research by UNAids, Namibia recorded 370 cases of new HIV infections in 2015.
The report also indicated that Namibia had a decline in new HIV infections from 2009 until 2015.
“There was a 79% decrease in the number of new HIV infections among children during the years 2009 to 2015,” read the report.
The report indicates that nine out of 10 mothers in Namibia have access to antiretroviral drugs to prevent mother-to- child transmission of HIV.
According to UNAids the rate of mother- to-child transmission of HIV is at 4% in the country.
The report also indicated that the number of women in Namibia acquiring HIV between the ages of 15 to 49 decreased since 2009.
“The number of women (aged 15 to 49 years) acquiring HIV decreased by 14% since 2009,” read the report.
According to UNAids lack of understanding and ignorance about HIV/Aids continues to weaken attempts to put an end towards the disease.
“Ignorance and misunderstanding continue to undermine efforts to end Aids. In the worst cases, discriminatory attitudes and behaviour are facilitated by punitive laws and policies. In 2016, 72 countries had laws allowing specifically for HIV criminalisation. Between 1 April 2013 and 30 September 2015, four countries in sub-Saharan Africa passed new HIV criminalisation laws: Botswana, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Uganda,” read the report.
SHONA NGAVA
This is according to Risto Mushongo from the Namibian Planned Parenthood Association (NAPPA).
Citing a 2016 report by UNAids, Mushongo said that far more men use contraceptives compared to their female counterparts in Namibia.
He also expressed his concern over contraceptive use amongst the youth.
A 2013 report by Namibia's Demographic Health Survey showed that only 24.5%, less than a quarter, of youth aged 15 to 19 use contraceptives and that the pregnancy rate in this group currently stands at 19%.
Another report that focuses on new HIV/Aids infections in southern Africa by Unesco revealed that 45 girls in Namibia are infected with HIV every week.
“Within the eastern and southern Africa they are saying that in Namibia, 45 young girls are infected with HIV per week,” said Mushongo.
According to research by UNAids, Namibia recorded 370 cases of new HIV infections in 2015.
The report also indicated that Namibia had a decline in new HIV infections from 2009 until 2015.
“There was a 79% decrease in the number of new HIV infections among children during the years 2009 to 2015,” read the report.
The report indicates that nine out of 10 mothers in Namibia have access to antiretroviral drugs to prevent mother-to- child transmission of HIV.
According to UNAids the rate of mother- to-child transmission of HIV is at 4% in the country.
The report also indicated that the number of women in Namibia acquiring HIV between the ages of 15 to 49 decreased since 2009.
“The number of women (aged 15 to 49 years) acquiring HIV decreased by 14% since 2009,” read the report.
According to UNAids lack of understanding and ignorance about HIV/Aids continues to weaken attempts to put an end towards the disease.
“Ignorance and misunderstanding continue to undermine efforts to end Aids. In the worst cases, discriminatory attitudes and behaviour are facilitated by punitive laws and policies. In 2016, 72 countries had laws allowing specifically for HIV criminalisation. Between 1 April 2013 and 30 September 2015, four countries in sub-Saharan Africa passed new HIV criminalisation laws: Botswana, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Uganda,” read the report.
SHONA NGAVA
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