Maputo's HIV infections 'double'
2007-10-26 10:12
Maputo - Mozambique's Maputo province has registered more than a two-fold increase in HIV infections in the first six months of 2007 as compared to the same period in the previous year.
In an interview broadcast on Radio Mozambique on Friday, head of the national HIV/Aids combating nucleus attributed the increase to what she said was unwillingness by many people to change their sexual behaviour.
Elizabel Zuculi said in the first six months of this year authorities registered 9 000 new infections, a more-than-double increase from 4 000 in the same period of 2006.
Zuculi said her organisation was working on changing the approach HIV/Aids activists used to spread messages on the pandemic.
"We are also thinking of including community leaders as HIV/Aids activists, as their influence is respected and could lead people to listen to them. This would result in a change in sexual behaviour," she said.
Mozambique's official HIV infection rate was pegged at 16.3%.
According to recent statistics released by the ministry of health, 500 new HIV infections were being recorded each day in Mozambique - mainly in the 14 to 29 age group.
The increase in the HIV infection rate had also lowered the country's life expectancy to 36, said the ministry of health.
- SAPA