The 15-19 age group in females and the over-50 age group in males have been identified as groups of interest because of the increasing number of HIV/AIDS infections within these categories.
Jacqui Wiltshire-Gay, director of the Barbados National HIV/AIDS Commission, said: “The increase in intergenerational sex is a cause for concern . . . . Whether it is transactual sex, we need to look at and monitor the development to find out why.”
She said the commission was focusing heavily on teaching prevention because of the added number of cases every year.
“People understand the information they are being given, yet we have not seen the reflection in the behaviour.”
Wiltshire-Gay added that the commission would look at prevention through teaching behaviour modification.
“Tell them of the benefits of the change and give support around them while they change or they may never change or go back to the behaviour,” she said.
Disclosing that the records showed that Barbados was still under the two per cent prevalence rate, she stated that in order to keep it that way there was a need to look at the most at-risk and keep working with them.
List updated
The list of at-risk people was recently updated and migrant workers and substance abusers were added to the list that already included sex workers and the youth.
“The disabled community have been added because of their vulnerability . . . . We need to protect them,” Wiltshire-Gay said.
Access to food and nutrition was also identified as critical to ensuring that people living with HIV/AIDS are afforded the same dignity of existence as all other Barbadians.
The director said that for people living with HIV/AIDS the “entire person” should be treated and nurtured.
“Drugs mean persons infected with HIV/AIDS live longer; they [also] need food and nutrition to sustain life,” Wiltshire-Gay said. (LK)
