Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

How ‘Coool’ Is Your Behaviour?

Home Archived How ‘Coool’ Is Your Behaviour?

By Charles Tjatindi

OTJIWARONGO

An estimated 150 000 to 180 000 people in Namibia are HIV positive. Added to this figure is an increase in the prevalence rate among pregnant women across the country, which now stands at 19.9 percent as per the 2006 estimate, up from 4.2 percent recorded in 1992.

This was revealed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Kahijoro Kahuure, when officiating at the launch of the HIV/AIDS Communication for Behavioural Impact, COMBI, at Otjiwarongo recently.

COMBI was commissioned by the United Nations Fund for Population Activities, UNFPA, in 2006 as part of its country programme with the Government.

The main focus of the campaign under the brand “Coool Behaviour”, an acronym for various behaviours that promote safe sex such as using a condom, is protection from unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, in addition to staying safe from HIV infections.

The PS noted that the current prevalence rate is worrisome, as it leads to many children being orphaned by AIDS.

According to the 2001 population census, AIDS orphans are estimated at 156 165 children, said Kahuure.

He noted that it is projected that by the year 2021, 10 percent of the Namibian population could be orphaned, placing a heavy challenge on the country’s mid-decade goals – the NDP2 and Vision 2030.

“The HIV/AIDS situation has tremendously impacted our society both in terms of social, cultural and economic development. One such example is that HIV/AIDS continues to impact on human resources. Absenteeism due to illness affects the productivity and economy of the country.”

The newly launched campaign also focuses on influencing and enabling individuals to apply their knowledge and awareness to behaviour, by mainly increasing the number of men using condoms every time they have sex. The campaign will be rolled out through door-to-door visits by volunteers called lifestyle ambassadors, dissemination of information material, community meetings and road shows, among others.

The media will also play an instrumental role in the rollout of the campaign, through radio and TV spots, and the placement of advertisements in newspapers.

A card game called “Take a Chance” depicts to the players their chances of getting infected with HIV when having unprotected sex.

Kahuure called on all men involved in risky sexual behaviour to abstain from such practices and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

“I urge all men between the ages of 15 to 39 to change your behaviour towards sexual intercourse in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Please use a condom every time, every time, every time.”

The launch was attended by representatives from various community and faith-based organisations and NGOs.