Health officers in Kiambu District Hospital have dismissed myths and misconceptions surrounding HIV/AIDS infection and treatment.
Speaking at the hospital on Tuesday, Lucy Wanjuu, an officer at the Comprehensive Care Centre in the hospital said the youth in the county have been deceived by false information about HIV/AIDS and they have ended up believing the myths.
Wanjuu said that beliefs that you would contract the virus by having any physical contact with an infected person were still common among residents adding that the community still stigmatised those who were suspected to be positive, therefore making them fall into depression.
“Many residents disregard other possible ways of transmission and lay the main focus on sexual intercourse thus end up viewing the infected as immoral people which may not be the case,” she said.
Teresia Mbua, a nursing officer at the hospital, noted that these myths made the patients adamant to come out in the open for antiretroviral drug treatment.
“People focus on the embarrassment of coming for the drugs rather than their benefits. The drugs are important as they elongate the lifespan of those affected by the disease,” said Mbua.
Mbua said that even those who visited the hospital for Antiretroviral (ARVs) drugs do not wait at the Comprehensive Care Centre desk.
“Some prefer sitting outside and mark their position on the queue. They only come in when it is their turn,” she said.
The nursing officer said due to the myths and misconceptions surrounding the disease, health workers have a counselling programme where correct information is disseminated to the public.
“Every morning we have a session where we talk with the patients. This session is aimed at giving the victims a platform to air their concerns, ask questions and get clarifications on information they have,” said Mbua.
The officers also carry out peer counselling and education in schools to ensure that students are knowledgeable and well-equipped to act as information hubs in society.