The Effutu Municipality in the Central Region is grappling with a concerning rise in HIV and hepatitis B infections. According to the Municipal Directorate of Health Services, the area recorded 170 new HIV cases in 2023 alone.
While some individuals who tested positive have availed themselves for treatment and have been placed on antiretroviral therapy, others have reportedly refused to undergo medical management after receiving their test results.
“In 2023, HIV status was 170. Obviously, it’s going to be more because there are people who don’t know their status, and there are some people who will screen and they will run away,” said Paulette Brown, the Municipal Director of Health, in an interview with Citi News.
She attributed the upward trend in HIV cases to the high number of sexually active individuals in the municipality, particularly among the student population.
In addition to the HIV situation, the municipality has also recorded 1,016 positive hepatitis B cases since 2019. The Health Director noted a possible connection between the prevalence of HIV and the rise in hepatitis B infections, pointing to shared transmission routes and risky behaviours.
To curb the spread of these infections, health authorities are urging stronger stakeholder engagement and intensified public education campaigns. Residents—especially students—are being cautioned against unprotected sex and having multiple sexual partners.
