HIV infection among youth who listen to sexually explicit and vulgar music is potentially high. Experts have warned youths who listen to such music are at a high risk of infection.

Recent studies conducted by an organisation known as Support for Addictions Prevention and Treatment in Africa (SAPTA), shows the magnitude of the problem. “We have done the studies and found that there is a direct correlation between vulgar music, alcohol or drug addiction and HIV infection. Our studies based on interviews of young people as we counsel them prove otherwise,” says Mr William Sinkele, SAPTA’s Executive Director.

Scientists are following with keen interest an HIV positive pregnant woman who has managed to control the amount of the virus in her body at undetectable levels for the past nine years without being on drugs.

Now four months pregnant, doctors want to see if she can deliver an HIV negative baby without using ARVs or caesarean section, the key interventions used to significantly cut-down the chances of the mother transmitting the virus to her unborn baby.

The government is putting on a brave face over reports that it has lost significant financing from the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria but behind the scenes is a picture of growing unease.

In a dossier prepared by a team of technical experts and presented to senior officials in the ministries of health and finance, the future of ARV treatment hangs in the balance unless the government comes to bridge a huge gap or scouts for new donors.

A tussle over the control of resources, overlapping tasks, and a budget that did not match with the activities, might have cost the country the much needed Global Fund money for the purchase of the life prolonging anti-retro viral drugs.

The country’s appeal to the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria for Round 9 funds totalling 73 million for HIV/AIDS programmes was rejected, sending the country into a serious funding crisis for its ARV programme.

Government officials might be presenting to the public a very successful HIV treatment programme, but it is now emerging that they are finding it difficult to cope with the increasing number of people coming onto to the treatment program.

Senior government officials confided that they are unable to offer steady supply of antiretroviral drugs to those who need them as the numbers are overwhelming.