About five percent of the nation's population has voluntarily gone for counselling and testing to know their HIV status. Mr Nat Dzadey, Brong Ahafo Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Focal Person on HIV/AIDS said this in Sunyani when he addressed a one-day workshop organised by the Ghana AIDS Commission and the regional AIDS Committee for media personnel on Wednesday. He advised members of the general public to go for the test to be able to make informed decisions for the future. "Knowing your HIV status will help to reduce any risky behaviour and prevent fear and anxiety among individuals", Mr. Dzadey explained. The workshop was aimed at sensitising the media on the 2006 HIV Sentinel Survey report to become abreast with the HIV prevalence rate in the region. Mr. Dzadey noted that many people were infected with the virus but looked healthy and as such could not realize the need to protect their partners and loved ones. "Testing positive and getting good counselling can help clients and patients to avoid passing the virus onto their loved ones and children", he said. The focal person explained that people who know their status could enjoy positive living by taking care of their health to enable them to stay longer through good nutrition. "Voluntary counselling and testing increases trust and strengthens the relationship of couples who undergo the test together". The focal person gave the assurance that the dignity of clients was carefully maintained, as the exercise was strictly confidential and conducted by well-trained counsellors. He said the counsellors helped clients to cope with psychological issues related to HIV and assisted in the process of informing their partners. Mr. Dzadey urged parents to encourage their children of 18 years who were sexually active or about to enter into a relationship to go for the test. "Shock, denial, anger, loneliness, depression and self consciousness are some of the challenges preventing individuals from going for the test", he added. The focal person urged the media to educate the public to understand the need to go in for the counselling and testing and to develop positive minds towards people infected with the virus. Mr. William Sopiimeh, Regional HIV/AIDS Coordinator of the Ghana Health Service called for concrete steps to check the increasing spread of HIV/AIDS in the country. He noted that the increase in the prevalence rate seemed to be fuelled by the youth in urban areas and that those within the 15 to 24 years age group contributed 30 percent of the total cases whilst persons below 35 contributed 88 percent. Mr. Sopiimeh said the region recorded 1,061 HIV cases from January to June this year as against 1,149 last year, but added that the regional prevalence rate declined from 3.3 percent in 2005 to 2.8 percent last year. Source: GNA