In Thailand, at least one person becomes HIV-positive every hour

[TotallyOz]

Half a million have Aids virus |but numbers adding up every hour; campaigns hamstrung by government indifference

 

In Thailand, at least one person becomes HIV-positive every hour, joining a million others who have been infected with the Aids virus in the country over the past two decades.

 

Despite the national campaign launched more than 20 years ago, HIV infections have been growing steadily. The Public Health Ministry estimates that more than a million people have been infected over the past two decades, and only about 464,414 of them are still alive. The key reasons for this increase are that many people still indulge in unsafe sex and not many undergo tests.

 

In 2011, studies showed that 44 per cent of every 100,000 Thais were infected with sexually transmitted diseases, compared to 29 per cent in 2007. According to Public Health Ministry data, about 62 per cent of those infected with the HIV virus are men who have sex with men, sex workers and drug users. It is estimated that about 80 per cent of new cases are caused by unprotected sex and about 300,000 people have the tendency to be carriers of the virus.

 

"They never think that they will be at risk if they don't use condoms," said Dr Pornthep Siriwanarangsan, director-general of the Disease Control Department.

 

In addition to these alarming facts, Thais have been starting to have sex at a very young age. A recent survey on teenage sexual behaviour found that about 20 per cent of girls lose their virginity at the age of 12, while 40 per cent become sexually active at 16.

 

For the rest of the story:

 

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Country-in-crIsIs-30195243.html

[MrBill]

In addition to these alarming facts, Thais have been starting to have sex at a very young age. A recent survey on teenage sexual behaviour found that about 20 per cent of girls lose their virginity at the age of 12, while 40 per cent become sexually active at 16.

 

For the rest of the story:

 

http://www.nationmul...s-30195243.html

I can't comment on how the stats compare to kids in the USA, but as one who works with teens regularly, the ages at which Thai children are becoming sexually active are about the same as in the USA. So much pressure on kids these days. Too often they mistakenly equate having sex with being loved (at least in the USA)