By Emmanuel Okol
KATAKWI
In bid to stop massive spread of HIV/AIDs in urban centres in Uganda, the youth in Katakwi town council have been advised to use condoms correctly.
According to Opio Walala, chairperson of Katakwi Street Boys, when handing out condoms to youth at Katakwi Town Council, if condoms are not used properly, they can break, rupture, or come off, exposing you to another person’s bodily fluid.
While giving condoms provided by Katakwi General Hospital over the weekend to a street boy, he reminded adolescents to use the condoms properly when meeting their lovers, but warned against overuse.
Over the weekend, Katakwi District Health Department provided about 10 boxes of condoms to town councils in Katakwi but cautioned on a number of repercussions, claiming it is reducing the global AIDS pandemic.
Model simulations indicate that increasing condom use since 1990 has saved an estimated 117 million new HIV infections.
Francis Ogwel, Thomas Okure, Pual Angiro, and Moses Opio thought that when worn correctly and regularly, condoms are highly efficient at preventing pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs), such as HIV.
They also praised the government’s efforts to stimulate and expand the STD and Aids pandemic, as each condom worn lessens the likelihood of transmission for that act.
Angela Akengo, Secretary of Health and District Councilor representing Kapujan Sub County, says they are now using churches, burials, and other forums to teach parents about the deadly virus and other diseases.
According to her, she will shortly offer a recommendation to the health committee for approval by the district council while they await government policy on HIV/AIDs privations.
Akengo also revealed that at least young people in Katakwi are trying to prevent the deadly disease compared to other districts in the whole country.
Akengo asks parents to support and educate their children on the dangers of contracting HIV/AIDs.
DHO Katakwi, Dr. Ichumar Simon Omeke, urged the youth to utilize condoms well in order to lower the high spread of this virus.
