A 26-year-old mother of two is regretting not having adequate information on condoms at the time she contracted HIV/AIDS.
‘I was impregnated and infected with HIV at the age of 20, immediately after high school.’ says Virginia Kotia from the Mathare area of Nairobi.
Virginia narrates how her dreams to become a doctor were cut short after realizing she was pregnant and infected with HIV at a young age. She had no source of income, felt frustrated, and pressure soon got up and she resorted to moving in with the man who impregnated her.
Virginia says life was not easy, she developed low self-esteem.
‘The man started looking down on me, so I moved back to my mom’s house. Thank God my mom embraced me, took me to a clinic – AIDS Healthcare Foundation in Mathare where tests confirmed I was HIV positive and was immediately enlisted for Anti-Retroviral drugs (ARVs),” she said
“After going through the recommended care during pregnancy, I gave birth to an HIV-negative baby.’ disclosed Virginia.
The single mum, who also adopted a son, is now ‘living positively’ and has gone public about her HIV status.
Virginia, however, regrets that her situation would most likely have turned out differently if she had accessed information on condom use much earlier. She says she always thought condoms were just ‘mere papers’ and didn’t fully understand their use.
Virginia also admits that staying single is lonely and wishes to have a partner, but it’s not easy getting a partner, considering her present status.
‘It is a challenge getting a partner when you’re HIV positive. I’ve tried joining online dating sites but the moment you disclose your status to a man, they immediately vanish. Yes I regret because if I had information on condom use, I would be on the safer side, every man would want to date me,’ she says
As the World marks Condom Day, just a day before the much-publicized Valentine’s Day, the young mother advises the youth to embrace condom use to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies, HIV, and other STIs.
‘Most young people are more afraid of getting pregnant than HIV. Yes the Postinor-2, P2 will protect you against pregnancy, but not HIV or other STI’s. If I had knowledge about #InternationalCondomDay I’d be empowered to negotiate condom use with my partner. But I never knew such a day existed,’ she avers
The day which is marked on 13th February annually is an innovative way of reminding people that wearing a condom prevents unwanted pregnancies, STIs, and HIV. People are reminded on this day to practice safety when being intimate with their partners. Each year, a theme is picked for the day, this year’s theme being ‘Yours, Mine, and Ours’. This is a reminder that it is everyone’s responsibility to practice safer sex.
Kenya Medical Research Institute KEMRI reported a sharp rise of the drug-resistant super gonorrhea that hit Nairobi County, after Christmas Celebrations, perhaps a clear indication that people are practicing unprotected sex. As you prepare for Valentine’s Day celebrations on the 14th of February, keep safe. Embrace the condom because it’s everyone’s responsibility to practice safe sex and protect their loved ones.
