African Woman and Child Feature Service

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.

“We have as many as 300 people who come to us for help in any given week. They all want to get away from their problems. No one born in this world wishes to get infected with HIV or to be associated with alcoholism,” says Sinkele.

The organisation assists alcoholics and drug addicts overcome their problem. Sinkele, himself a recovered alcoholic, says that the National Aids Control Council should include alcohol abuse and social influences of HIV infection such as vulgar music in their research programmes.

“There is great importance for this to be included in the national study programmes as this will determine the way forward on how new infections can be curbed or reduced,” reiterated Sinkele.

The current HIV infection rates average about 150,000 monthly and the study shows there is a direct correlation between alcohol, music and HIV infection.

“As a parent, I always worry about what my teenage son listens to. He has in the recent past even become rebellious and does not want to take any instructions from me. He is 17 and does not want to be told how he to live his life,” says Ms Sunshine Mueni, a parent.

Different studies that have been conducted in the United States and United Kingdom show that negative or unproductive music has a negative influence towards the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases and several other health complications.

A Nairobi based psychologist, Dr Joseph Mukubwa, says that for instance when one mixes alcohol with music in a club full of prostitutes, the message that the music sends to the listener could be sexually bound.

“Part of my job is to counsel and guide people on the best ways to lead their lives. I occasionally have to ask them which music that they like listening to and the answers I receive are not surprising. Most listen to the current local hip hop, and rap music that has hit the country in recent years,” says Mukubwa

“Surprisingly, three quarters of the people who test positive after visiting my centre admitted to listening to the generational music which many times is rebellious,” said Mukubwa.

Lobbying

A group of independent lobbyists mostly from academia are also pushing the Kenya government to include the influence of music and how it impacts on HIV infections. Such studies have never been included in the Kenya Health Demographic Survey.

Prof Samson Munywoki, a sociology lecturer from the United States International University says the relationship between HIV infection and music is real.

“Music can be positive but it can also be negative, depending on the songs that one listens to and how they may impact their lives. That is being realistic. We as academia need to focus more on this matter. I do believe that research is a good way of solving societal ills,” explains Munywoki.

He adds that most of the music that the youth listen to in Kenya is immoral and the people who sing the songs tend to send a sexual message to the listeners.

“Most of the genge singers for example are young and they have a message to send. Living in a society where one is macho by having many sexual partners, we need to focus more on music and how it impacts on HIV infection,” says Munywoki.

Mukubwa explains that youths aged between 13 to 27 years are the most vulnerable to HIV infection based on the music that they listen to.

“We as youth are at a high risk of HIV infection based on the music that we listen to, we may have a lost generation if this problem continues to go unabated,” says 25 year old engineer who requested anonymity.

Salome Wanjiru aged 72, who got infected with HIV three years ago, says the youth should concentrate on more creative activities such as career development.

Self expression

However, for youth who believe in and like this kind of music the thinking is different.

“I love having fun when I am out in with my friends. I do not see anything wrong with that. I do love drinking beer and listening to music. I also believe that it is a lifestyle and that is even how one meets a potential spouse. It is also a way of self expression,” says John Mwangi, 23, a security guard in Nairobi.

He says listening to vulgar music whether in a bar or matatu should be viewed as normal by society.

“Both men and women have different tastes in their music. It is true that music defines my personality and what I listen to really matters,” explains Mwangi.

A matatu conductor Mukindia Murungi says: “Music brings a message and the message has to be delivered. It makes one make a decision, it can be both bad and good.

This article was initially published in the Reject Online Issue 36