TERTIARY CAMPUSES: HIGH-RISK ENVIRONMENT FOR TRANSMISSION OF HIV/AIDS

The rate at which HIV/AIDS is increasing among the youth is very alarming. The 2008 UNAIDS/WHO statistics on the world epidemic of HIV/AIDS states that young people under the age of 25 accounted for half of all newly HIV infections worldwide. In Ghana, the case is not different even though there has been a significant decrease in HIV prevalence in the country. The 2007 HIV Sentinel Survey Report reveals an increased rate of HIV among the combined age groups of 25 to 40. Most of these age groups mentioned above find themselves in the various tertiary institutions in the country since many young people even complete their first degree programmes before age 25,while the majority of those pursuing their post-graduate degrees are below age 40.

The reason for the increase in HIV/AIDS cases among the youth is as a result of some high-risk activities common on our tertiary campuses. For instance, sex is now a fashion on most campuses. It is the talk of most students when they meet for a chat. It is a lecturer’s ‘best’ example for explaining a point. It creates enthusiasm in students and it excites them to contribute to make lectures lively. In fact, sex talk rather than sex education has permeated almost every corner of our campuses such that it has created an environment for sexual experimentation. It is not uncommon to hear male students raping female students in halls and lecture theatres. Some students “narrowing” their roommates and others having sex in wash rooms are all common stories on our campuses. Students who indulge in this unscrupulous act, as well as those who indulge in sex just to satisfy their curiosity, have little or no time for condom. Many of these instances mentioned above have happened as a result of the fact that some students think, dream, sing and use all their time to talk about sex.

Another factor that has engendered the spread of HIV/AIDS among the youth is the contentious issue of multiple sex partners. It is very surprising that some students are unmarried yet they have two or three sex partners on campus. The unfaithfulness exhibited by students who indulge in this dangerous practice becomes manifest when these same people flirt with other men and women outside campus. This practice of multiple sex partners both within and outside campus, popularly known as “inter” (internal) and “exter” (external) respectively can also be a contributory factor to the high rate of HIV/AIDS among the youth. Besides, issues of broken relationships are common these days on campuses and victims of such relationships often times enter immediately into another relationship so as to overcome the pains and sorrows of the previous one. Such people often give in to the demands of their newly found lovers to have mostly unsafe sex with them as a sign of their love.

Imposition of some western lifestyles by the youth of today predisposes them to HIV/AIDS infection. For instance, even though homosexuality and lesbianism are illegal in Ghana, some students are practising them on our campuses. Currently, there are a lot of gays and lesbians on our campuses who are at risk. This is because research has authenticated that receptive anal intercourse carries a higher risk of HIV transmission than receptive vaginal intercourse. The reason is that the lining of the anus is more delicate than the lining of the vagina and therefore can easily be damaged during sex.

Another practice common on our campuses of late is tattooing and skin piercing. Sharp instruments are used for these practices. And in a case where the equipment has not been sterilised before using, there could be a significant risk of exposure if a previous user was HIV positive. Moreover, western cultures such as discos, beach parties, drinking sprees and others are some of the preferred forms of entertainment by students on our campuses in contemporary times. Those who become over excited through these forms of entertainment often times get drunk and end up having sex with the people they hook up with. Most of the times, the majority of students who indulge in this practice do not use condom.

Additionally, recent media reports and research have indicated that some students are professional prostitutes. Most of these student-prostitutes have their contact numbers and pictures with some hotels, guest houses and perhaps some brothels. Others too travel outside campus, especially during weekends purposely for sexual engagements. Some of these student-prostitutes, especially the ladies wouldn’t mind having casual sex with anybody who comes their way, provided the fellow is ready to offer them ‘big’ money or foreign currency.

The time has come for all stakeholders to embark upon serious educational campaign on our campuses. If stringent measures are not taken, the country stands the chance of losing greatly. For instance, UNAIDS report on the Global AIDS Epidemic 2006, reveals that sixty percent of deaths in sub-Saharan Africa are amongst adults aged between 20 and 49 years. The report further recounts that such situation is causing population imbalances and is removing people at their most economically productive age and at a time when they are likely to have young children. Furthermore, the document, Study of the Social and Economic Impacts of HIV/AIDS in Ghana: Facilitative Studies, (2005) posits that although the number of deaths from non-AIDS related causes in Ghana is not likely to increase much over time, the number of AIDS-related deaths among 15-49 years would increase considerably if nothing is done to assuage the problem.

The above observations should suffice and attract the attention of all stakeholders in education and in the fight against HIV/AIDS, even as we celebrate yet another World AIDS Day on December 1. In the first instance, it looks as parents have lost vigilance in monitoring their children’s movements both in and outside the home. Also, rules and regulations governing students’ conducts too appear to have been laxed to the detriment of the total development of students. Moreover, both the individuals and the institutions have conducted themselves as if the pandemic did not exist and therefore have not shown any passionate commitment to its alleviation.

Looking at the prevalence among the youth vis-a-vis the challenges the nation stands to face, the leaders of our tertiary institutions should act swiftly to clamp down on these anti-social activities of students in their care. School authorities, parents, religious leaders and other stakeholders should wage a relentless war with every arsenal at their disposal before the HIV pandemic takes all of us unawares and wreak untold havoc on our nation.

Eric Gyan

National President Ghana Methodist Students’ union (GHAMSU)

gyaneric2005@yahoo.com