The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) on Friday cautioned youth against risky sexual behaviours while celebrating Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on Feb. 14.
Dr Gambo Aliyu, Director-General, NACA made the call in statement by Mrs Toyin Aderibigbe, Head, Public Relations and Protocol, NACA.
He expressed concern over the degree of unprotected sexual activities made out of impulsive decisions by younger adults.
“Many Impulsive decisions are made in the heat of moment such as unprotected sex which often leads to unwanted pregnancies and increased risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS,” he said.
The director-general, who decried the risk associated with having multiple sexual partners, said it was capable of increasing vulnerability to HIV among youth population.
Aliyu said: “according to UN Joint Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS), the difference in HIV prevalence between women and men is greatest among younger adults.”
He added: “with young women, aged 20 to 24 years, more than three times are likely to be living with HIV as young men in the same age group.”
Aliyu also explained that HIV prevalence among children of 0 to 14 years is 0.2 per cent.
He reassured of the commitment of NACA to achieving HIV free Nigeria as a demonstration of government’s love for fellow Nigerians.
The director-general however said that his agency was working in tandem with its goal of scaling up community efforts to provide national access to prevention, treatment, care and support services.
Valentine’s Day originated as a minor Western Christian feast day honouring one or two early Christian maatys named Saint Valentine and, through later folk traditions, has become a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.