Harmful traditional practices in Welo

According to the pro-Ethiopian government Walta Information Centre, over 15,000 people in South Welo Zone, northeastern Ethiopia, are reported to have been infected with sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) this year as a direct result of traditional practices. Dr Asefa Taye, zonal health department head, told Walta that 15,690 people were known to have been infected as a result of traditional practices involving sexual relations between men and their sisters-in-law. He warned of the deadly implications of such traditional practices in the face of "the deadly toll in life being claimed in the HIV/AIDs pandemic in the country", Walta said. According to Asefa, his department was preparing with organisations and committees dealing with harmful traditional practices, as well as working with the administration at various levels, to organise awareness-creation forums for the population. The preparations included a study of the psychological problems suffered by women affected by harmful traditional practices in Amba Essel, Worebabo, Kalu and Tenta districts.