The rise in HIV infections in Sri Lanka , especially among young men, has become a serious public health issue. I have seen this alarming increase on TV, in the newspapers, and on social media for years. So, when you look at this data a little more closely, it becomes clear that men who have sex with men have a significant impact on new HIV infections. In this article, I will explain the reasons for this, as well as talk about ways to prevent and treat HIV. I will also explain why the public needs to be educated about this.
The data speaks: Why is HIV increasing among young men?
According to 2022 data, young people aged 15-24 years accounted for 12% of all reported HIV infections. 92% of these people were young men, and 80% of them reported having unprotected sex with men. Clearly, homosexuality, especially among young men, has been a major cause of HIV infection.
To explain this a little more, the highest number of HIV infections have been reported from the Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Kurunegala districts in the Western and North-Western provinces, and from Galle in the Southern province. Also, many people find out that they have HIV late. Their CD4 count is low. This means that they have not recognized the disease early. So this means that the disease becomes severe and the chances of infecting others increase.
Why are male homosexual relationships linked to the spread of HIV?
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are more likely to get HIV. There are several reasons for this:
- Biological risk : The tissues in the rectum can be easily injured , making it easier for HIV to enter the bloodstream.
- Low condom use: The 2018 IBBS survey found that only 18% of people in same-sex relationships used a condom during their last sexual encounter. This greatly increases their risk of HIV.
- Stigma and discrimination: Due to societal stigma, many MSM are reluctant to get tested for HIV, which further increases their risk.
Prevention Strategies: How to reduce the spread of HIV?
Be happy, there are ways to prevent HIV. The first thing to do is to educate people through public health programs to always use condoms when they are with everyone. We see this all the time in programs all over the world, that's what it's like. If you do those little things right, you can greatly reduce the spread of HIV.
Additionally, PrEP ( pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a great way to prevent HIV. If taken correctly, it can reduce the risk of getting HIV by up to 99%.
The third factor is regular HIV testing. Many people do not know if they have HIV. So there is a high chance of unknowingly infecting someone else. These tests can be done free of charge in both government hospitals and private clinics. The good news is that about 86% of people living with HIV in Sri Lanka know that they have HIV. However, we will have to work a little harder to reach the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) target of at least 95% of people living with HIV knowing their status.
Finally, we need to reduce stigma. Homosexuals and people living with HIV are often afraid to seek the health care they need due to social stigma. So, to eliminate these disparities, we need to do community awareness programs as well as extensive educational programs.
Treatment: Living with HIV
With new treatments now available, people with HIV can live longer, healthier lives. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the main treatment. These drugs stop the virus from multiplying in the body.
The good news is that about 80% of people diagnosed with HIV in Sri Lanka are taking this treatment. Of those, 87% have their virus under control. This means that the amount of virus in their body is low, so they are less likely to infect others. They can also stay healthy. However, it is also very important to take your medication properly and see your doctor regularly.
Public awareness: The key to reducing HIV
In my opinion, education can play a big role in reducing the spread of HIV. People need to know exactly how HIV is spread and how to protect themselves from it. This requires proper sex education in schools, as well as awareness programs for high-risk groups, such as homosexuals, transgender people, and sex workers.
We also need to break the stigma surrounding HIV and MSM. I see a lot of young men who are afraid to seek help because they fear being ostracized. So it's important to create an environment where everyone can get help and feel safe. Then they will come forward to get tested for HIV, get treatment, and learn about prevention.
Finally: Turning the tide of HIV in Sri Lanka
The increasing HIV infection rate, especially among young men who have sex with men, is a major challenge for Sri Lanka. We need to make HIV testing and treatment accessible to everyone. We also need to educate people about safer sex practices. In addition, we need to work hard to build a more just society. If we do these things, we can reduce the spread of HIV and ensure a healthy future for every Sri Lankan.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න