Accra: The Ghana HIV and AIDs Network (GHANET) has successfully distributed 48,580 HIV test kits to men across various operational areas as part of their strategic initiative to increase HIV testing among men. This distribution accounts for 63 percent of the total target of 77,665 kits planned for dissemination.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mrs. Victoria Araba Dennis, the Vice President of GHANET, emphasized that the focus on men is a deliberate strategy designed to address their generally poor health-seeking behaviors. She reported that the age group receiving the highest proportion of test kits were men between the ages of 20 and 24, followed closely by those aged 25 to 29 and 30 to 34. Furthermore, 44 test kits were distributed to minors aged 0-14 years, all with parental request and consent.
Mrs. Dennis highlighted that 77.3 percent of the recipients preferred unassisted testing, aligning with the project's goal of promoting HIV Self-Testing, which allows individuals to independently test themselves. The remaining 22.7 percent of recipients opted for assisted testing. Notably, 46,263 individuals who accessed testing were first-time testers, while 31,420 were repeat testers.
Reflecting on last year's performance, Mrs. Dennis noted that students continued to be significant recipients of the test kits, highlighting the ongoing focus on younger, sexually active populations. She expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health and other relevant institutions for their support in achieving these milestones. She also acknowledged the contributions of community-based organizations and the Secretariat in implementing the project.
