I submit herewith, the 2022 Third Quarter Activity Report on HIV/AIDS in respect of New Juaben North Municipal Assembly for your study and necessary action.
Thank you.
For: MUNICIPAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE
NDINGA NBORINYI
(MUNICIPAL CO-ORDINATING DIRECTOR)
ATTENTION:
REGIONAL HIV/AIDS FOCAL PERSON
TECHNICAL SUPPORT UNIT
EASTERN REGIONAL COORDINATING COUNCIL
NEW JUABEN NORTH MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY
THIRD QUARTER ACTIVITY REPORT ON HIV/AIDS
OCTOBER 2022
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report provides information about the HIV/AIDS activities which took place in the New Juaben North Municipality in the third quarter of 2022.
2.0 INTRODUCTION
Four (4) HIV/AIDS sensitization programs were held on the following dates and venues and with the following participants in the third quarter of 2022:
DATE VENUE PARTICIPANTS
Thursday, 7th July Sunrise FM General Public
Thursday, 22nd September Cocoa Shed, Akwadum Community Members
Monday, 26th September Community Social Centre, Oyoko Community Members
Friday, 30th September Mosque, Asokore Zongo Muslim Community
The Municipal AIDS Committee (MAC) Members as well as the HIV Coordinator for St. Joseph Hospital were the facilitators for all the sensitization programs.
3.0 OBJECTIVES OF THE SENSITIZATION
• To transfer basic knowledge related to HIV/AIDS to all participants.
• To give education on the need for HIV testing and counselling.
4.0 ACTIVITIES
4.1 HIV Sensitization at GBC Sunrise FM
The HIV/AIDS Sensitization at GBC Sunrise FM was done during its morning show “Ade Akye Ebia”. The host welcomed the facilitators onto the show and went ahead to introduce them. The purpose of the sensitization program was mentioned by the facilitators as increasing the awareness of HIV/AIDS.
It was said by the facilitators that, although the epidemic Covid -19 had taken centre stage for some time and all efforts had been directed towards curbing it, sensitization about HIV/AIDS in the Municipality was not stopped – it was done alongside Covid – 19 sensitizations.
An overview of HIV/AIDS was given by the facilitators to the public. This included its mode of transmission, incubation period, its signs and symptoms and ways of its prevention. The importance of taking an HIV Test was also hammered on. The available HIV Testing Centers within the Municipality were communicated by the facilitators. The sensitization was communicated through a mix of English and the Akan Language and it spanned from 9:30am to 10:00am.
4.2 HIV Sensitization at Cocoa Shed, Akwadum
A face to face interaction with some community members at Akwadum was held to educate them about HIV/AIDS. The Assemblyman was involved to achieve this. Information about the ways of acquiring HIV, the signs and symptoms of the virus and its mode of prevention were duly communicated to the participants by the facilitators.
Community members were also informed about the HIV Testing centers within the Municipality. It was said that, equity gaps in access to health services for HIV had been bridged, and thus, antiretroviral treatment was available for all who test positive for HIV.
The participants asked questions which were appropriately answered by the facilitators. The Akan Language was used in the sensitization. The sensitization program was a successful one.
4.3 HIV Sensitization at the Community Social Centre, Oyoko
The MAC members liaised with the Assemblyman for Oyoko Zongo and held an HIV sensitization program in the electoral area. The sensitization lasted from 11:15am to 11:45am. The education by the facilitators covered the following content: the full meanings of HIV/AIDS, the difference between HIV and AIDS, how the infection can be acquired and transmitted as well as the available HIV Testing Centers within the New Juaben North Municipality.
Community members were encouraged to test for HIV in order for them to know their statuses. This was because, early medical treatment and a healthy lifestyle can help an HIV positive person live longer. Community members were again encouraged by the facilitators to communicate the information they had acquired to their family and friends who could not make it to the sensitization program. The Akan Language was used in the sensitization.
4.4 HIV Sensitization at Mosque, Asokore Zongo
The Chief Imam together with the rest of the MAC members held an HIV sensitization program at the Asokore Zongo Mosque. The Akan Language was used.
The facilitators started the sensitization program by communicating the causes of HIV/AIDS. They said that, some modes of transmission were through unprotected vaginal sex with HIV infected persons, sharing of sharp objects such as needles and blades with HIV infected persons and transfusion of HIV infected blood or blood products.
In addition, it was made known that, HIV could be transferred from an HIV positive mother to her newborn child during pregnancy, child birth or breast feeding.
The facilitators mentioned that, within some weeks of HIV infection, flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat and fatigue can occur. The disease is then asymptomatic until it progressed to AIDS.
Preventive measures were mentioned to the participants as abstinence from sex, faithfulness to one’s sexual partner, using condoms or protection during sexual intercourse and avoiding the sharing of needles, blades and sharp objects with others.
The facilitators communicated to the Muslim community that, the available places for one to test for HIV in the Municipality were the health facilities located in the Municipality. These included St. Joseph Hospital, the clinics, CHPS compounds and other sites set up specifically for HIV testing.
5.0 CONCLUSION
Generally, the MAC had successful engagements with members of the various communities in which HIV/AIDS sensitization programs were held in the third quarter of 2022. The questions asked and answers given gave a clear indication that members of the community had received the message very clearly and will act upon it.
The rising cases of new HIV infections reported nationwide has necessitated the New Juaben North Municipal AIDS Committee Assembly to intensify its efforts aimed towards HIV prevention and control.
It is the hope of the MAC that, these efforts will go a long way to achieve its intended purposes.