• Porn and drug use round up the causes 

The National Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) / Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Control Programme claimed that the lack of proper sex education, addiction to pornography, having sex with strangers, not using contraceptives and increase in drug use have contributed to the hike in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases in Sri Lanka.

Commenting on this matter, the National STD / AIDS Control Programme Coordinator and Consultant Venereologist Dr. Geethani Samaraweera told The Daily Morning yesterday (21) that due to the increased testing capacity, more cases have been reported across the country, and that this is due to people coming for tests after the lockdown triggered during the Covid-19 pandemic.

She further pointed out: “These cases were reported because of the lack of knowledge on proper sex education around the country.” She explained by providing examples of the “increase in drug usage where in some cases it leads to distortions in consciousness, uncontrolled sexual desire, addiction to pornography, having sex with previously unknown partners, and not using condoms. Adolescents and youth between the ages of 15-24 years are those who are most involved in these instances. Also, cases of HIV among homosexuals have increased due to the lack of protection.”

Dr. Samaraweera added that therefore, they are to initiate a survey to reduce these cases.

“A total of 165 HIV infections have been reported in Sri Lanka in the first quarter of this year (2023). This is the highest number of cases reported in the first quarter of a year since 2009. Out of the total patients, 22 males and three females are aged between 15-24 years and the other cases were of people above 25 years. This is because between 2020-2022, the testing capacities provided across the country were low with the difficulties of the Covid-19 pandemic. But, whether the tests were done or not, HIV cases are increasing,” she added.

Also, the National STD / AIDS Control Programme added that nine transgender persons have been infected with HIV in the first quarter of 2023.

Meanwhile, the Director of the National STD / AIDS Control Programme, Dr. Janaki Vidanapathirana told The Daily Morning yesterday that most cases were reported from the Western Province. She also emphasised the importance of providing proper sex education to children and adolescents. She also advised to choose low risk sexual behaviours and to take precautions such as using condoms to prevent HIV. 

Speaking in the Parliament on Tuesday (20), Opposition Parliamentarian Vasudeva Nanayakkara emphasised that HIV infections in Sri Lanka have increased in the first quarter of 2023 by 13%.

According to the World Health Organisation, HIV is an infection that attacks the body’s immune system. AIDS is the most advanced stage of the disease. HIV targets the body’s white blood cells, weakening the immune system. This makes it easier to get sick with diseases. HIV is spread from the body fluids of an infected person, including blood, semen and vaginal fluids. It is not spread by kisses, hugs or sharing food.