Ugandan First Lady in Valentine’s Day Message Urges Youth To Help Prevent HIV Spread
Ugandan First Lady Janet Museveni on Monday in a message to commemorate Valentine's Day urged the youth of the country to prevent the spread of HIV, Xinhua News Agency reports. "We will have to intensify the culture of moral responsibility in our communities, at our places of work and in schools as this will determine the destiny of our country," Museveni said. She added that all Ugandans should "reflect" on the country's "ABC" approach -- abstaining from sexual intercourse, being faithful and using condoms -- to HIV prevention, according to Xinhuanet. Museveni said parents should use the holiday to educate their children about how to "celebrate these occasions without getting trapped in unhealthy consequences," according to Xinhuanet. While Valentine's Day "is an occasion which is largely taken to be a celebration of love between couples ... it may also increase exposure to [a] compromising situation that might result into contracting HIV/AIDS," Museveni said. Uganda has reduced its HIV prevalence from about 30% in the 1990s to about 6% currently, Xinhuanet reports (Xinhuanet, 2/13).
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