Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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New Vision (Kampala) - December 14, 2008
Prudence Nyamishana
It is very disappointing that some educated men believe in Jacob Zuma's pathetic belief that if they wash up immediately after having live sex, then they cannot contract the virus because it can be washed away by soap and water.
But HIV transmission occurs when a person is exposed to body fluids infected with the virus, such as blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk.
The primary modes of HIV transmission are having sex with an infected person, sharing hypodermic needles or accidental pricking by a needle contaminated with infected blood; and transfer of the virus from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or through breast-feeding.
Dr Kamugisha of AIDS Information Centre while presenting on the Power Fm's 'Here is to your health' talk show, said circumcision as a way of preventing HIV transmission among men stands at 60%.
In my opinion even if the men are circumcised they should embrace behaviour change.
Abstinence and being faithful to a partner are the only 100% safe preventive measures of contracting the deadly virus. Condoms can be used by married couples for family planning and the discordant couples.
The family has a great role to play in behavioural change. Parents should talk to their children about sex and its consequences. Parents have to be role models and exemplary. It is up to fathers and mothers to determine what legacy they are passing on to their children.
Parents have a role of checking their children's morals by providing answers to their impending questions.
Parents should have their children earn their trust. Trust is absolute and when it wastes away it is always hard to earn. Can they earn your trust? Especially the teenagers, adolescents and young adults who are not sure of what they want.
It is absurd that absentee parents do not know and do not care to know what kind of children they are raising.
The church should also not stand aloof and cheer the Government as they fight against the scourge.
Even with the Government and church efforts, the task of behavioural change is in our hands. Let us take a stand. For us to fight AIDS it must start with the individual.
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