HIV/AIDS Infections On The Increase â€" AIC
Sep 20, 2002
THE AIDS Information Centre (AIC) has registered an increase in new HIV/AIDS infections, the executive director, Dr. Hitimana Lukanika, has said.
By Edris Kisambira
THE AIDS Information Centre (AIC) has registered an increase in new HIV/AIDS infections, the executive director, Dr. Hitimana Lukanika, has said.
He said this on Wednesday at Hotel Africana while presenting a paper on the trends of the disease from 1990 todate, at a one-day workshop on Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) feedback from six districts where AIC operates.
“We have realised an increase in new infections over the last two years (2000-2002). I don’t know what is causing that rise. According to our data, we are starting to see a rise in the level of positive sero prevalence among our clients,†Lukanika said.
He said the infection rate had been down until 2000 when the rise was recognised. He did not, however, give the magnitude of the rise.
He added that the level of infection stood at 22% in 2000.
“Whereas it had maintained a downward trend, it has started to go up and we don’t know why,†he said. “Our clients, however, are not a representation of the general population,†he added.
Lukanika said females registered the highest percentage of infection.
He said complacency was growing due to the belief that the scourge had been controlled to some level. Ends
THE AIDS Information Centre (AIC) has registered an increase in new HIV/AIDS infections, the executive director, Dr. Hitimana Lukanika, has said.
He said this on Wednesday at Hotel Africana while presenting a paper on the trends of the disease from 1990 todate, at a one-day workshop on Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) feedback from six districts where AIC operates.
“We have realised an increase in new infections over the last two years (2000-2002). I don’t know what is causing that rise. According to our data, we are starting to see a rise in the level of positive sero prevalence among our clients,†Lukanika said.
He said the infection rate had been down until 2000 when the rise was recognised. He did not, however, give the magnitude of the rise.
He added that the level of infection stood at 22% in 2000.
“Whereas it had maintained a downward trend, it has started to go up and we don’t know why,†he said. “Our clients, however, are not a representation of the general population,†he added.
Lukanika said females registered the highest percentage of infection.
He said complacency was growing due to the belief that the scourge had been controlled to some level. Ends