The Ghana Demographic and Health Survey conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service has revealed that 76% of men in Ghana aged 15 to 49 are unaware of their HIV status.
The data also reveals that only 28% of the population sample uses condoms during sexual encounters with non-cohabiting partners.
In contrast, women in the same age bracket exhibited higher awareness levels, with approximately 54% undergoing HIV testing and 11% using condoms during sexual activities with non-cohabiting partners.
The Acting Director of Demography at the Ghana Statistical Service, Godwin Odei Gyebi, emphasized the importance of men taking a more proactive role in knowing their HIV status.
“11 per cent of women indicated that they use a condom, and 28 per cent of men indicated the same. People who have tested for HIV and received their results are 54 per cent for women and 24 per cent for men. Men are not doing well as far as women are concerned. In the last 12 months, 15 per cent of women and 7 per cent of men have tested for HIV and have their results.”
The Ghana Statistical Service also found that nearly 80 per cent of Ghanaians have discriminatory attitudes towards persons living with HIV.
“74 per cent of those women who indicated that they have heard of HIV will not buy from a shopkeeper who is HIV positive, and 65 per cent of men indicated that they will also not buy fresh vegetables from HIV positives.”