Swaziland and the European Union (EU) have embarked on a joint initiative to raise awareness levels among Swazis about HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Dr John Kunene, principal secretary at the ministry of health and social welfare, said there was a need for strengthened awareness programmes as many people were living with HIV/AIDS and other STIs.
He noted that the national rate of infection indicated that people, especially the youth, were reluctant to practise safe sex, despite the nationwide availability of condoms.
A local newspaper, the Times of Swaziland, quoted Kunene as saying: "It is obvious that young people in this country are heading for the doldrums, because they are literally failing to make use of condoms which will protect them from contracting the deadly virus."
Research shows an estimated 33.4 percent of Swazi adults aged between 15 and 49 are currently living with HIV/AIDS.
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
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