Rich ‘sponsors’ to blame for rising HIV infection rates in Murang’a
HIV/AIDS prevalence in Murang’a has gone up from two to five percent within a period of three years.
This was blamed on alcoholism and rich men who lure college girls with money in what is colloquially known as “sponsorship”.
This is leading to more infections among young girls.
According to Ms Mary Ng’ethe, Executive Director of Masaa Africa, an organisation that deals with HIV/AIDS, the rate of new HIV infections in the county is shocking and various measures should be employed to curb the menace.
Ms Ng’ethe said those mostly affected by the disease are women, a pattern attributed to extra marital affairs.
“Murang’a and indeed Kenya as a whole has a challenge in addressing the menace of alcohol and drug abuse.
“Alcohol has been declared as the major cause of HIV and poverty in Murang’a because once someone is under the influence of alcohol, ability to make rational decisions is weakened and this can lead to negative sexual behaviours like unprotected sex, multiple partners and sexual violence on spouses,” she said.
