The New Juaben North Municipal AIDS Committee, in collaboration with St. Joseph Hospital at Effiduase-Koforidua, has stepped up efforts to educate the public on HIV and AIDS, encouraging people to seek accurate information, embrace testing and take advantage of available prevention and treatment services.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Mohammed Zunurene on GBC Sunrise FM Ade Akyi Abia, Public Health Nurse and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Coordinator at St. Joseph Hospital, Mary Boatemaa Yeboah, highlighted the importance of HIV education and early diagnosis.
She explained that HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) attacks the body’s immune system, particularly CD4 cells, which help the body fight infections. If left untreated, HIV can progress to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), the most advanced stage of the disease. However, she noted that modern treatment has made HIV a manageable condition.
According to Ms Yeboah, a person can live with HIV for many years without developing AIDS, especially when antiretroviral medication is taken consistently and correctly. She added that the appearance of symptoms varies from person to person depending on their immune system.
“Many people may not show any symptoms for between three and ten years after infection. However, some individuals may experience flu-like symptoms during the early stages of infection,” she explained.
She stressed that the only reliable way to know one’s HIV status is through testing and urged the public to make use of available screening services.
Ms Yeboah also highlighted key HIV prevention measures, including Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication taken by HIV-negative individuals to reduce their risk of infection, and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), an emergency treatment that can help prevent infection if taken within 72 hours of possible exposure.
While there is currently no cure for HIV, she said antiretroviral therapy enables people living with the virus to achieve an undetectable viral load, which prevents sexual transmission and allows them to live long and healthy lives.
High-Risk Groups Need Greater Awareness
The Municipal AIDS Committee’s focal person, Lydia Owusu Acheaw, used the platform to raise awareness about groups considered to be at higher risk of HIV infection.
She identified key populations including men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers, sexually active individuals with multiple partners, transgender persons, and pregnant or breastfeeding mothers living with HIV. She noted that health facilities continue to record cases among these groups, underscoring the need for targeted education and prevention efforts.
Regular Testing Remains Crucial
The HIV Coordinator for the New Juaben North Health Directorate, Eugene Frempong Asentu, also emphasised the importance of regular testing, explaining that HIV can remain undetected for years without obvious symptoms.
He said an individual’s immune system largely determines how quickly symptoms may appear, making testing the only reliable way to know one’s status.
“You cannot determine whether someone is HIV positive simply by looking at them. The only way to know is through testing at a health facility,” he said.
Mr Asentu explained that during the early stages of infection, most people do not show visible symptoms. Signs such as persistent diarrhoea, fever, unexplained weight loss and constant fatigue may appear later, but experiencing these symptoms does not automatically mean a person has HIV.
He cautioned couples against discontinuing condom use without first knowing each other’s HIV status, noting that unprotected sex remains one of the primary routes of transmission.
Public Urged to Avoid Risky Practices
Mr Asentu also advised the public to avoid sharing sharp objects such as nail cutters, blades, needles, syringes and other instruments that may be contaminated with blood.
He encouraged people who patronise mobile manicure and pedicure services to ensure proper hygiene practices are observed and, where possible, use their own personal grooming tools.
He further urged individuals not to wait until they develop symptoms before seeking an HIV test, stressing that testing services are free and confidential.
According to him, trained counsellors are available at health facilities to provide guidance and support without disclosing patients’ information.
He added that self-testing kits are available in many hospitals and can be used under the guidance of healthcare professionals.
Mr Asentu also clarified that HIV diagnosis follows a series of confirmatory tests. A single reactive result does not automatically mean a person is HIV positive, as additional tests are conducted to confirm the diagnosis before treatment begins.
The awareness campaign forms part of ongoing efforts by the New Juaben North Municipal AIDS Committee and St. Joseph Hospital to promote HIV prevention, early detection and access to treatment while reducing stigma and misconceptions surrounding the disease.