Health News of Monday, 25 August 2008

Source: GNA

Religious, Cultural practices impede HIV/AIDS prevention - Director

Amanase (E/R), Aug. 25, GNA - Mr Freeman Madzi, Executive Director of the Abibiman Sankofa Cultural Movement (ASCUM), on Saturday said some religious and cultural practices impeded the fight against HIV/AIDS. He stated that some people had misinterpreted some religious and cultural practices that accepted polygamy as a licence to indulge in extra marital affairs.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Amanase in the Eastern Region, he pointed out that such misinterpretations, could promote the spread of HIV/AIDS.

He called on all voluntary organisations to help curb the disease by enhancing the awareness of their communities about gender-based dimensions of the disease.

Mr Madzi said HIV/AIDS was a medico-social problem that needed a multiple approach to combat. He urged the people to go for testing to know their HIV/AIDS status adding: "Your life is incomplete if you do not know your HIV status". 25 Aug. 08