HIV rise blamed on teacher-pupil sex

A growing number of cases of HIV infection among young girls in Africa is being caused by teachers, academics have said. It is estimated that at least two thirds of all people living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa are women aged between 15 and 25. Research has suggested that the crucial reason for the high rate of infection is the rising number of teachers engaging in sexual intercourse with their pupils. In an interview with the BBC World Service's Africa Live! programme, Zimbabwean academic Pamela Machakanja said: "If you go to any school within the southern African region, you will hear the same story from the girls." Machakanja said the problem went right to the top in many of the schools, with most of the perpetrators holding the position of head teacher.