Ashanti Region HIV Testing Challenges: Stigma Hinders 95-95-95 Goals – Ghana AIDS Commission

Introduction

In Ghana’s bustling Ashanti Region, efforts to achieve critical HIV objectives face significant hurdles. According to the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), stigma remains the primary barrier preventing widespread HIV testing, keeping the region far from national and global targets. This article delves into insights from Olivia Graham, Ashanti Regional Technical Coordinator for the GAC, highlighting how fear of discrimination blocks testing uptake. Understanding HIV testing in Ashanti Region and combating HIV stigma in Ghana is essential for public health progress. Discover the data, challenges, and strategies driving the push toward the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets: 95% of people living with HIV knowing their status, 95% of diagnosed individuals on treatment, and 95% of those on treatment achieving viral suppression.

Analysis

The Ashanti Region’s struggle with HIV objectives in Ghana stems not from limited access but from deeply entrenched societal attitudes. Olivia Graham emphasizes that while testing services are freely available at government health facilities, including Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds and outreach programs, uptake remains low. Nationally, only 68% of people living with HIV know their status, but in Ashanti, treatment coverage stands at just 40.4% among those estimated to have the virus.

Roots of Stigma

Stigma hindering HIV goals in Ghana is fueled by persistent myths, such as beliefs that HIV transmits through casual interactions like buying food from infected individuals or that testing implies immoral behavior. The Ghana Demographic and Health Survey reveals over 70% of respondents hold discriminatory views toward people living with HIV. Stigma index studies further confirm high levels of self-stigma, where individuals internalize negative judgments even before external criticism occurs.

Impact on Treatment and Prevention

Beyond testing, stigma disrupts treatment adherence. Patients often travel long distances to avoid recognition at local clinics, leading to missed appointments when transport costs become prohibitive. Cases of abandoning proven antiretroviral therapy (ART) for unverified herbal remedies have been documented, with patients returning in worsened conditions. No cure for HIV exists, underscoring the risks of such alternatives. Additionally, many new infections occur in stable relationships, challenging assumptions about transmission risks, and condom use is often higher among sex workers than couples.

Summary

The Ghana AIDS Commission’s report on Ashanti Region HIV challenges paints a clear picture: despite robust service availability, stigma blocks progress toward 95-95-95 HIV goals. Nationally, Ghana has achieved 69% treatment coverage and 90% viral suppression, but testing lags critically. In Ashanti, the gap is wider, with only 40.4% on treatment. Addressing myths, enhancing privacy options like self-test kits, and leveraging media for accurate messaging are key to bridging this divide.

Key Points

Practical Advice

To boost HIV awareness in Ashanti Region and overcome barriers, practical steps grounded in GAC recommendations include:

Accessing Testing Services

Visit any government health facility or CHPS compound for free, confidential HIV testing. Community outreach programs extend services to remote areas, ensuring no one is turned away.

Utilizing Self-Test Kits

Civil society organizations like WAPCAS, Hope for Future Generations, and West Africa AIDS Foundation distribute self-test kits. These enable private home testing, followed by confirmatory visits to clinics for positive results.

Support for Positive Diagnoses

Post-diagnosis support includes professional counselors, peer models, and mentor mothers—women living with HIV who have birthed HIV-negative babies and guide pregnant women on treatment adherence.

Media and Community Role

Media outlets should prioritize stigma-reducing language, emphasizing that individuals on effective ART with undetectable viral loads pose negligible transmission risk (Undetectable = Untransmittable, or U=U).

Points of Caution

Navigating overcoming HIV stigma in Ghana requires vigilance against common pitfalls:

• Myths to Avoid: HIV does not spread via shared food, casual contact, or everyday interactions.
• No Herbal Cures: Abandoning ART for unproven remedies leads to health deterioration; ART is the only validated management strategy.
• Treatment Interruptions: Traveling for anonymity risks missed doses; seek local support networks instead.
• Relationship Risks: Stable partnerships account for most new infections; regular testing and communication are vital regardless of perceived fidelity.

Graham warns that internalized stigma can deter self-care, urging individuals to prioritize health over fear of judgment.

Comparison

Comparing Ashanti Region to national benchmarks reveals stark disparities in HIV progress Ghana. Nationally, 68% status awareness contrasts with Ashanti’s lower testing rates, contributing to 40.4% treatment coverage versus the country’s 69%. Viral suppression excels at 90% nationally, likely due to better adherence among diagnosed cases. Ghana trails some African peers; for instance, while Rwanda nears 95-95-95 milestones, stigma similarly hampers progress in high-burden areas like Nigeria’s urban centers. Ashanti’s urban density amplifies myths via social networks, unlike rural areas with outreach gains.

National vs. Regional Metrics

Legal Implications

While no direct legal violations are cited in the GAC statements, Ghana’s framework addresses HIV-related discrimination. The Public Health Act and HIV/AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2003 (Act 650), prohibit stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV, mandating confidentiality in testing and treatment. Breaches, such as denying services due to status, can result in penalties. Advocacy groups leverage these laws to combat workplace and social exclusion, reinforcing GAC efforts. However, enforcement challenges persist amid cultural stigma, with no specific Ashanti cases highlighted here.

Conclusion

The Ashanti Region’s path to meeting 95-95-95 HIV targets Ghana hinges on dismantling stigma through education, accessible testing, and supportive networks. As Olivia Graham asserts, universal status awareness benefits all: healthier individuals, reduced transmission, and community resilience. The GAC and partners commit to expanded outreach, media collaboration, and myth-busting campaigns. By fostering accurate information and empathy, Ghana can close the gap, ensuring no one fears knowing their HIV status.

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