The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
They want comprehensive range of choices, comprehensive counselling and community engagement
Kampala, Uganda | PATRICIA AKANKWATSA | In a pioneering effort to address the unique reproductive health needs of young people living with HIV, a youth-led charity organisation; the GILO Young Positives Foundation, is taking significant strides toward empowering this vulnerable population by broadening their contraceptive options.
GILO Young Positives Foundation was founded in 2023 by young people both infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. It aims to create a more inclusive and understanding society where every individual can make choices that lead to healthier, fulfilling lives.
Its founder, Gloria Nawanyaga, says for young people living with HIV, making informed decisions about family planning has historically been a daunting task due to limited contraceptive options.
She says their new initiative seeks to empower them by offering a wide range of contraception methods. These choices include condoms, oral contraceptives, injectables, intrauterine devices (IUDs), hormonal implants, and emergency contraception.
Nawanyaga added that based on this year’s World Contraception Day, “The Power of Options” expanding contraceptive options for young people living with HIV is a monumental leap toward enhancing their reproductive health and family planning.
“By offering a comprehensive range of choices, along with comprehensive counselling and community engagement, resilient individuals will be empowered to make informed decisions and assert control over their sexual and reproductive health, adding that It also underscores the importance of fostering a society that recognizes and addresses the unique needs of young people living with HIV, paving the way for a future where all individuals have the opportunity to make choices that lead to healthier and more fulfilling lives,” she said.
While celebrating World Contraception Day, on Sept.26, the GILO Young Positives Foundation, had an open discussion webinar on how young people living with HIV can be empowered and broaden their contraceptive choices. The main objective of this discussion was to reduce the risk of transmitting HIV from infected individuals to their partners or potential offspring.
According to Trevor Emojel the Mr Y+ 2022, stigma associated with HIV remains a pervasive issue in Uganda.
“Young people living with HIV often encounter discrimination, which can deter them from seeking sexual and reproductive health services, including contraceptives,” he says.
He said that this can be reduced by fostering open and non-judgmental discussions around sexual health.
“By expanding contraceptive choices, young people can select methods that not only align with their health and family planning goals but also minimise the risk of HIV transmission. For instance, promoting the use of dual protection, combining condoms with antiretroviral therapy (ART), significantly reduces the chances of transmission during sexual activity,” said Adeniji Ayodeji David, the secretary for the Association of Positive Youth Living with HIV in Nigeria.
Launched in 2007, World Contraception Day’s mission is to improve awareness of contraception and to enable young people to make informed choices on their sexual and reproductive health. The annual worldwide campaign centres around a vision where every pregnancy is wanted.
Emojel added that the cost of contraceptives, especially for those not covered by health insurance, can be prohibitive for many young people.
“Many young people, including those living with HIV, have limited financial resources. They may be students, unemployed, or working in low-paying jobs, making it difficult to allocate a portion of their income for contraceptives. This financial barrier can limit their contraceptive options,”
He said that this can be solved by the government by allocating funds to subsidise the cost of contraceptives, especially for vulnerable populations like young people living with HIV.
“This can make contraceptives more affordable or even free at public healthcare facilities,” Emojel added.
According to the National Family Planning Cost Implementation Plan (CIP) II (2021/22–2024/25), the overall funding need for Family Planning commodities is $332.3 million. The government’s overall commitment to the reproductive health (RH) supplies budget over this period, however, is $ 25 million.
Dr Allan Kasozi the senior medical officer of Adolescent and School Health at the Ministry of Health said that health workers need to be trained to maintain privacy and confidentiality for young people living with HIV.
“Concerns about privacy breaches and confidentiality breaches can discourage them from accessing contraceptives,” he said.
He added that one of the primary objectives of these discussions is to reduce the risk of transmitting HIV from an infected individual to their partner or child.
