Oshakati — Yelula/U-Khâi in conjunction with the Coalition on Responsible Drinking (CORD) under the Ministry of Health organised a conference in Oshakati recently.

The conference critically addressed alcohol abuse and how students should make informed decisions on sex.

It was held under the theme: "Live Positively, Drink Responsibly, Making Informed Decisions Around Alcohol and Sex". Another aim of the conference was to look at the impact of alcohol use and sexual behaviour and identify areas in which to combat alcohol abuse.

Oshana Regional Health Director Dr Naftali Hamata on behalf of Minister of Health and Social Services Dr Richard Kamwi said HIV/Aids is devastating sub-Saharan Africa where the spread of HIV/Aids is fuelled by alcohol use.

Dr Hamata cited studies conducted in sub-Saharan Africa that has shown that persons who use alcohol are at higher risk of HIV/Aids than non-drinkers.

Persons who drink more heavily and report being intoxicated in sexual situations also report less condom use and more concurrent sex partners compared to non-drinkers.

"Available data from Southern Africa where HIV is most prevalent show that up to 50% of persons living in the region report current alcohol use. Alcohol serving establishments such as informal drinking places and shebeens often serve as high-risk venues for HIV transmission, according to a recent survey conducted by health clinics in South Africa. These results indicate an urgent need for multi-level HIV prevention interventions targeting shebeens and the men and women who drink in these settings," he said.

Similarly, according to a community participatory assessment conducted by NawaLife Trust, alcohol abuse is one of the primary ways through which HIV has spread in Namibia. The survey indicated that alcohol consumption, in particular heavy consumption, is significantly related to HIV/Aids risk.

It found that 44% of the respondents who reported drinking a few times a week or more reported having two or more sexual partners in the past year compared to 22% of those who drank once a week or less. 19% of the respondents who reported drinking a few times a week or more reported having multiple sexual partners compared to 7% of those who drank once a week or less.

Dr Hamata noted that when some people drink, they might feel confident to approach potential sex partners but are less likely to think about the risks involved.

"When one drinks too much, one is more likely to engage in sexual activities with someone whose HIV status you do not know much about. One is also more likely not to use a condom during sex or may not be able to remember where they put the condoms. It is best to stay in control and never make decisions about sexual activities when you are drinking alcohol," warned Dr Hamata.

Because people have always used alcohol and many people rely on it for an income, one does not need to demonize alcohol. Rather, one need only acknowledge that the country has a serious problem with heavy alcohol consumption and that its linkage to the spread of HIV/Aids is a further threat to the health and well-being of the nation.

It is when alcohol is used heavily that it causes problems such as destruction of family relationships, school fees not being paid or money for food being used for alcohol, according to the regional director.

He warned about the repercussions of using excessive alcohol or that "drinking too much alcohol weakens the immune system. A weaker immune system will have a hard time fighting off common infections such as a cold, as well as Aids-related infections. A weaker immune system also increases the chance that you will experience more side effects from your HIV medication."

Alcohol effects also weaken the liver. Last year, the Ministry of Health and Social services reported that 443 patients were admitted for liver cirrhoses of which 108 patients died.

Dr Hamata called on people to learn how to drink responsibly in order to make responsible choices on the intake of alcohol beverages and make condoms available in bars and shebeens.

At the conference, Likius Daniel Shipuata testified about his alcohol and HIV status.

He told the audience about how he used to drink heavily and sleep with different women until he contracted HIV.

Shipuata cautioned people not to drink excessively and to use condoms. He said people should be faithful to their partners.

The conference had more that 200 people attending from Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Omusati and Oshana. A similar conference will be held in October in the Karas Region.

Yelula/U-Khâi project works with communities, individuals and marginalized groups in rural northern Namibia to strengthen their resources and support their vision in responding to the HIV/Aids pandemic.

Through networking, training, grants, mentoring and outreach, the project enhances grassroots organizational and leadership capacity and promotes new and effective methods of HIV prevention.

The project also supports the exercise of basic human rights related to HIV/Aids and helps secure access to care and treatment.

The project started in 2004 and was for the first three years conducted in collaboration with Hivos and IBIS as part of Alliance 2015 - a coalition of six European NGOs working to achieve the United Nation Millennium Development Goals for 2015.