CNMI joins fight against AIDS

Local health organizations and the community have forged anew a united front against the spread of HIV/AIDS through massive advocacy efforts denouncing acts that lead to the transmission of the dreaded disease, as the Commonwealth gears up for next month’s World Aids Day celebration.

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, during a ceremony attended by Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez, public health officials, organization heads and staff, proclaimed December as CNMI HIV/AIDS Month highlighting the theme “Men Make a Difference.”

The theme accentuates and promotes among men more active involvement in anti-HIV/AIDS efforts in what appears to be a groundbreaking response to the national HIV/AIDS epidemic.

In the CNMI, HIV infections and AIDS among men outnumber women.

According to health experts, men infected with HIV/AIDS comprise 70 percent of the total number of people infected with HIV in the Commonwealth.

As opposed to women, men are less likely to seek needed health care and are more likely to engage in behavior that increase their chances of acquiring the dreaded diseases. Risky activities such as drinking, using illegal substances or driving recklessly have been associated more with men than women, according to health authorities.

Furthermore, irresponsible behavior can put men at risk of HIV. Records reveal that while HIV transmission among women is growing, men, including adolescent boys, continue to represent the majority of the people living worldwide with HIV or AIDS.

In some settings, men may be less likely to pay attention to their sexual health and safety than women.

Statistics also show that men are more likely than women to inject drugs thus risking infection from needles and syringes, and use alcohol and other substances that may lead to unsafe sex, increasing the risk of HIV transmission.

Such behaviors likewise place women at an increased risk of HIV. Citing studies, health groups reveal that HIV is more easily transmitted sexually from men to women than vice versa.

The month-long HIV/AIDS awareness campaign is urging more men to give greater consideration to AIDS as it affects the family.

Fathers and future fathers are encouraged to consider the impact of irresponsible sexual behavior on their partners and children.

On Dec. 1, the CNMI community officially kicks off an intensive anti-AIDS campaign at the Parenting Symposium to be held at Da-Ichi Hotel where individuals are encouraged to wear a red ribbon, the international symbol of HIV/AIDS.

Free confidential HIV testing services will be launched by the DPH from Dec. 4 to 8.

Educational video footage carrying HIV/AIDS themes will be shown at the Joeten Kiyu Public Library Conference room on Dec. 9 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

From Dec. 11 through 15, a client counseling training for nurses and nurse practitioners will be held to be followed by the annual AIDS walkathon on Dec. 16. The series of activities are being slated to strengthen the global battle against HIV and AIDS, in support of over 34 million people across the world living with the disease. Some 8,000 people worldwide die from AIDS every day.