UNAIDS says the Fiji Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey that was carried out in 2021 by the Fiji Bureau of Statistics, revealed concerning sexual health knowledge and practice.
The survey was done in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other government ministries, as part of the Global MICS Programme with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Pacific Community (SPC).
The survey also confirmed that only 30 percent of women surveyed aged 15 to 24 years and 26 percent of men of the same age group are knowledgeable about HIV prevention.
The survey revealed very low condom use among people with multiple partners stating that 24 percent of men and 9 percent of women between the ages of 15 to 49 years old had reported using a condom at their last sexual encounter.
Condom use among young people aged 15 to 24 years old, who have non-regular partners at the last sexual encounter was 28.7 percent for women and 39.8 per cent for men.
The survey has further revealed poor health seeking behaviour and knowledge of HIV status of individuals in Fiji.
The proportion of women and men aged 15 to 49 undergoing HIV test in the last 12 months and knowing their test results are very low at 7 percent and 4 percent, respectively.
UNAIDS says people are encouraged to know their HIV status and get tested, as life-long, life-saving HIV treatment is available at no cost to every Fijian. Young people are encouraged to visit their nearest health centres, or sexual reproductive health clinics in Suva, Lautoka and Labasa to get tested with full confidentiality and be counselled on prevention options that best suit them.
UNAIDS Pacific Country Director, Renata Ram says it is still possible for us to get the response back on track and achieve global AIDS goals in Fiji; this is a shared responsibility between individuals, government, civil society, and the international community.
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