Patson Baraire
9 May 2008
Rukungiri — Married couples have been asked to embrace the voluntary HIV testing services made available free of charge at their homes in Rukungiri.
The call was on Tuesday made by an official from Rukungiri Efforts to Promote Adolescent Health and Aids Control, Mr Dan Nabaasa while addressing the people who turned up for HIV/ Aids voluntary testing and counselling at St. Paul Kakinga Church of Uganda in Kebisoni Sub-county Rukungiri District.
He said knowing their status would help them plan better for them selves and their families.
Mr Nabaasa said his organisation has decided to take the testing to peoples' doorsteps targeting the married couples who are now the group which is at highly at risk of contracting the disease. He said the testing which will be routine will be availed nearer to the people to stop them from traveling long distances.
Mr Nabaasa said their organisation has already conducted these services at two other places where more than 540 people including 50 married couples have tested voluntarily. "We are targeting the married couples because new research has revealed that they are now the most endangered group and if they get to know their status they can change their sexual behaviors which can scale down the infection in the long run," Mr Nabaasa said.
He said his organisation is promoting abstinence among the youth and also promoting faithful living among the married couples. Mr Nabaasa said those who will find their results positive will be referred to various organisations which offer ARVs and so can be assist them.
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