Reckless lifestyle of the young accounts for increasing HIV cases - Ghana AIDS Commission Head

Dr. Steve Kyeremeh Atuahene, the head of the Ghana AIDS Commission, has attributed the escalating HIV rates among individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 to irresponsible and unprotected sexual conduct. 

In an interview with JoyNews, Dr Atuahene elucidated that a significant number of youth are contracting the infection due to their involvement in hazardous activities, with little regard for their well-being. He referenced statistics indicating a 45% surge in new HIV cases among individuals aged 15 to 24 between the years 2010 and 2016. 

Dr. Atuahene noted that despite extensive awareness campaigns, the youth frequently fail to adopt protective measures, such as condom use. This is consistent with results from the 2014 Demographic and Health Survey, which pointed out a high prevalence of unprotected sex and inadequate HIV prevention knowledge among young people. 

Dr. Atuahene's comments come in the wake of a recent survey that disclosed over 45,000 HIV-positive youths in Ghana, as part of over 355,000 overall infections across the country.