[Kisii County Executive for Health Sarah Omache in a past event. She says the county will use social media to promote HIV/AIDS awareness across the county. Photo/Hivisasa.com]
Kisii County health officials are set to use social media in reaching out to the youth with HIV/AIDS messages.
She termed the social media as the new frontier that need to be tapped to roll back infections among the youth.
An estimated 13,079 adolescents are living with the HIV virus across the County in a new study released last week.
“The social media campaign will ensure we get as many of those who don’t know their status to go for testing,” she said.
The online campaigns will also encompass cancer awareness information.
She urged the youth to turn out in large numbers for testing saying knowing their status will help deter early deaths.
“The youth should take more responsibility towards their health status so that together we can improve the health sector of this county," said Ms Omache.The county will also promote age and population specific treatment education in community and other health facilities in an effort to encourage the youth to get involved in testing exercises.
The facilities, apart from providing youth friendly services, will also ensure that they include psycho-social and peer support for adolescents and youth.”
Support and peer groups, according to the department, have proven to decrease anxiety, enhance self-esteem and reduce depression among patients.