A government HIV expert has linked the high HIV prevalence rates in Zambia’s tourist capital of Livingstone city to underage drinking.
Steven Chongo, Livingstone district HIV/AIDS coordinating advisor, said substance abuse among the youths makes them vulnerable to unprotected sexual intercourse.
During a council meeting last month, Livingstone Mayor Aggrey Njekwa agreed that beer drinking in Livingstone had increased with illegal bars known as “shabeens” operating in most of the residential areas.
Effects of underage drinking
“For Livingstone one of the key drivers which I have always complained about is substance abuse. This is very prevalent among the youths and you will find that if you went into drinking places you will find underage patrons there,” Chongo said.
“Once youths get intoxicated, decision making is impaired and they get exposed to risky behaviours, such as unprotected sexual intercourse.”
He commended the Southern Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS) and the German government for addressing the situation by helping revamp youth clubs in schools and youth friendly corners in health centres.
These initiatives will help reduce youth patronage of bars and help young people make more informed choices, which Chongo hopes will reduce the rate of new HIV infections.
Efforts to curb underage drinking
The government is trying to engage local authorities and bar owners in dialogue to address the need to restrict underage drinking. One of the issues is that young people get exposed to adults with money and get enticed to have sexual intercourse.
“They may be given K50 (USD 10) and do whatever they are told,” Chongo said. “But they don’t know the status of this person, equally the adult who is enticing them does not know the status of the youth.”
Livingstone Mayor Njekwa said the council will work hard to put an end to unregulated beer sales in the city. He said a lot of shabeens have been opened and some have been linked to local authority leaders. But Livingstone town clerk Vivian Chikoti refused to disclose measures put in place to deal with illegal sale of alcohol as this may deter the council’s plans to raid the shabeens.
Read more about HIV and young people
Image: Community-based organisation Young, Happy, Healthy & Safe works with schools in Chipata, a rural area in north-east Zambia to deliver sexuality and life-skills education
© International HIV/AIDS Alliance
