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Obesity more serious than HIV infection - SANDF

    JOHANNESBURG

    An estimated 23 percent of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers are HIV-positive, SANDF Health Service Director Pieter Oelofse has announced.

    However, HIV infection was seen by Oelofse as a less prevalent or serious threat to the combat readiness of the defence force's 75,000 soldiers than obesity and hearing loss.

    According to a local newspaper, Sunday Times, the HIV prevalence estimate was based on health assessment tests of soldiers deployed on various missions.

    Some 17 percent tested HIV-positive during preparation for a 1999 deployment, and a similar percentage tested HIV-positive during routine health assessments in March 2000.

    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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