Bougainville HIV rate drops, says officer

 By ALOYSIUS LAUKAI

THE spread of HIV/AIDS in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville has decreased since 2000, the Bougainville AIDS office said yesterday.

Monitoring and evaluation officer Steven Pokohi said 99 people had been confirmed as HIV/AIDS positive since 2000.

He said eight of them died while the others were still receiving medical treatment.

Pokohi said the most vulnerable people were aged between 25 and 39, many of whom were married.

He revealed that social activities were also contributing to the spread of HIV/AIDS on Bougainville.

He said polygamous marriages were another contributing factor to the spread of the virus.

Pokohi said the Bougainville AIDS Office team was carrying out an awareness campaign in the local communities so that people were better informed about the dangers of HIV/AIDS.

He said many people were able to test voluntarily as testing sites have been established in Arawa, Buin and Buka.