HIV new cases drop in Francistown
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Thursday October 7, 2021 16:02
The area has previously experienced a surge in HIV/AIDS new infections and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), mostly blamed on the low condom usage and cultural practices.
In 2016, it was reported that the second city was one of the most hit areas in the country with HIV/AIDS prevalence rate of 23.1% as per the 2013 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS) IV report.
Furthermore, the percentage was considered high as the national prevalence rate stood at 17%.
According to Francistown DHMT public health specialist (PHS), Dr. Gotsileene Monamodi, the district has registered a total of 4,801 HIV new cases from 2019 to date.
When breaking down the statistics, he pointed out that they recorded a total of 2,391 and 1,498 HIV new infections in the years 2019 and 2020 respectively. The above statistics show a significant decline of 893 HIV new cases in a period of 12 months.
He further indicated that Francistown has recorded 912 HIV new cases since the beginning of this year (2021) to date.
Dr. Monamodi stated that females accounted for most HIV new infections recorded during the aforementioned period.
He said a total of 2,770 females tested HIV positive contrasting to 2,031 males who also tested positive between 2019 to August 2021. Breaking down the numbers further, he said 1,048 males as compared to 1,342 females tested positive in 2019.
“In the year 2020, a total of 595 males as compared to 903 females tested positive for HIV. Since the beginning of this year (2021) they registered 388 and 524 new HIV infections amongst men and women in that order,” he added.
Asked about the prevalence rate pre and during the COVID-19 era, Dr. Monamodi told Mmegi that they are still consolidating and analysing district statistics to be able to quantify the indicator.
Furthermore, Dr. Monamodi indicated that a total of 26,689 people are on HIV treatment aggregated by sex since 2019 until August 2021.
He said that out of recorded number a total of 9,277 men and 17,412 women are on HIV treatment through the Antiretroviral therapy (ART).
He also said 714 people defaulted on their treatment between the year 2019, 2020 and to date.
The local public health specialist said according to the statistics more males have defaulted from treatment than females. He said the disaggregation of defaulters by sex from 2019 to date stands at 400 males and 314 females.
When questioned what the defaulters’ main reasons were, he pointed out that they continue to engage at personal level with people who defaulted from their treatment as for the reasons for defaulting.