Despite Rwanda maintaining an HIV prevalence rate of 3% among individuals aged 15 and above for over 15 years, new cases continue to emerge, particularly among the youth. Adolescent girls and young women are twice as likely to be affected by HIV compared to their male counterparts. UNAIDS data reveals that Rwanda has met the global HIV target of 95-95-95. However, stigma and discrimination persist, fuelled by misinformation. This gap can be bridged by engaging youth as informed decision-makers in HIV prevention and health promotion. ALSO READ: HIV/AIDS: RBC calls for testing, safety practices in nationwide prevention campaign Eugene Ujeneza, 24, is a nurse at a private pharmacy in Rwamagana City and a member of a peer support group of 15 young nurse graduates from the University of Rwanda. This group educates peers on HIV prevention and provides counselling for those living with the virus. Through their efforts, they have reached hundreds of young people, providing accurate information on HIV transmission and prevention. Since joining the group, Ujeneza has noticed a positive shift in attitudes towards HIV. Increased adherence to medication and decreased risky behaviours have been observed following their community campaigns. “I realised that if the youth discuss health issues, especially HIV prevention and treatment, with fellow youth, they open up more easily. Previously, young people were hesitant to discuss condom use, but now they feel comfortable talking to me due to our HIV prevention awareness campaigns. Some have even sought advice on resuming their HIV treatment after lapses,” Ujeneza shared. The Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) emphasises that testing and safety precautions are crucial to curbing HIV/AIDS prevalence. It urges people living with HIV (PLHIV) to seek regular medical care and adhere to their prescribed treatment regimens. ALSO READ: “Undetectable=Untransmittable”: A game-changer in Rwanda’s HIV prevention, treatment course According to the 2022-2023 annual AIDS report, there was a 2.7% increase in PLHIV enrolled in care and treatment, from 212,678 in June 2022 to 218,314 in June 2023. The growth is attributed to new clients initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART), previously lost to follow-up cases returning to care, and transfers into healthcare facilities. During this period, 10,909 individuals started ART, 3,269 were lost to follow-up, 1,816 were traced back, and 1,563 on ART died from various causes. Dr Basil Ikuzo, Director of the HIV Prevention Unit at RBC, highlighted the importance of regular follow-up appointments and medication adherence during an awareness campaign in the Eastern Province. He also stressed the need for community and healthcare provider support to ensure comprehensive care, including mental health services, for individuals on ART. “Hospitals and health facilities in Rwanda are integrating mental health services into their HIV care to provide comprehensive support for individuals living with HIV, who often face psychological, emotional, and social challenges. We conducted training for social workers and mental health professionals in 47 hospitals on PLHIV psychosocial and mental health,” Ikuzo explained. ALSO READ: A look at PrEP and PEP in Rwanda’s HIV prevention efforts A 20-year-old HIV-positive patient from Musha, Rwamagana District, who wished to remain anonymous, shared her experience of stopping treatment due to stigma from her mother-in-law. After attending a youth-led awareness campaign in Rwamagana, she received counselling and felt empowered to resume her medication. “People living with HIV/AIDS in rural villages face significant challenges due to social stigma and discrimination, which affect their mental health and overall well-being. Campaigns in villages are essential to educate communities on providing emotional support. One campaign was enough for me to get back to my normal self,” she said. RBC highlights that staying on HIV treatment increases life expectancy. Programme data shows that 33% of Rwandan PLHIV taking ART are 50 or older, and 57.4% are between 25 and 49. However, HIV infection and genetics increase the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cervical cancer in HIV-positive older adults, making NCDs a major cause of death and illness in this group. Since 2022, several interventions have been implemented, including identifying patients with a double burden of disease, obtaining test kits, and strengthening HIV healthcare providers’ abilities to screen and manage NCDs in HIV clinics.
