Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The Chairperson of the South Sudan HIV/AIDS Commission, Dr. Esterina Novello Nyilok, has revealed that South Sudan’s HIV infection rate remains alarmingly high.
She said the prevalence of HIV in South Sudan is estimated to be 2.5 per cent. This means the number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) is 180,000, and new infections occur at a rate of 17,000 per year.
Dr. Nyilok revealed this on Tuesday during the launch of comprehensive sexuality education in South Sudan’s capital, Juba. According to Nyilok, most parents fear that comprehensive sexuality education can lead to hazardous behaviours or sexualizing children at a young age but that should be the case.
She further stated that the epidemic is concentrated on young people and adults at the peak of their economic and social productivity. However, the official added that the lack of accessible comprehensive sexuality education in the country has contributed to the high rate of HIV infection, including other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
“Our children and young people have the right to receive reliable, scientifically-based, and comprehensive information about not only their reproductive health but also sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV,” she stressed.
The health professionals emphasised that comprehensive sexuality education empowers young people to protect and advocate for their health, well-being, and dignity.
She said it would help to provide them with the necessary toolkit of knowledge, attitudes, and skills based on age and developmentally appropriate information needed to support healthy choices.
“Comprehensive sexuality education should also be provided to out-of-school children and youth. This is particularly relevant for children and young people with disabilities, many of whom, unfortunately, do not yet have access to mainstream education. “
For More News And Analysis About South-Sudan Follow Africa-Press
