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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has urged Nigerians, particularly the youths to take advantage of this year’s valentine day celebration to acquire more knowledge about HIV/AIDS, get tested to know their status and stay away from indiscriminate and unprotected sex.
NACA said it has observed that there are always high rate of indiscriminate sexual activities and other amoral behaviours during the valentine season that often lead to uninformed decisions among many, and most often than not, exposes many people to high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
NACA Director General, Dr. Gambo Aliyu, in a statement on Monday, urged Nigerians especially the youths to express love within the contest of caring deeply for their loved ones with intention to protect them from all forms of harm, and avoid risk factors that might make them vulnerable to HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).
He added: “As we express love for our partners during this valentine season, please remember to love wisely. As members of a wider society, your health and productivity counts to both your nuclear, extended families and the entire country.
“Nigeria stands to benefit from the pool of your contributions. So, I urge you to desist from practices that might expose you to risks of contracting HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases as we commemorate these special days. It’s important that you love wisely, share love, and not the virus”.
The NACA boss further reiterates the importance of reducing the trend of new HIV infection in Nigeria, especially among youths through preaching abstinence, and for those who cannot abstain, to use condom which prevents Sexually Transmitter Diseases (STDs) including HIV and unwanted pregnancies.
“It has become important to ensure condom option is made available as preventive measure to youths and people of reproductive age who cannot abstain from sex. This is because new HIV infections are highest among young people aged 15-24 years, and the national data also suggested that about 4.2 per cent of young people (ages 15-24) are living with HIV.
“As we express love this season, remember to love wisely. As members of the wider society, your health and productivity is vital to the future of our country. So, I urge you to avoid risky behaviors as we commemorate valentine’s day. Love wisely, share love not HIV,” he advised.
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