Report: 2 Myanmar cities found with most HIV-carrying sex workers

Two Myanmar cities in the northern part -- Lashio and Mandalay were found with most HIV-carrying sex workers, the local Weekly Eleven News quoted the figures of the Ministry of health as reporting Wednesday.

Of the 945 sex workers examined during a census conducted for six areas in the country in 2007, 147 were found infected with HIV with those from Lashio accounting for 22.7 percent, Mandalay 22.6 percent, Myitgyina 17.9 percent, Taunggyi 14.4 percent, Yangon 9.6percent and Kengtung 1.2 percent.

The HIV victims, aged from 30 to 34, took 22.8 percent, while those from 25 to 29 represented 18 percent, 20 to 24 17.3 percent, the figures showed.

Myanmar has been stepping up prevention against HIV infection occurring among groups who move about for their living.

The authorities stressed the urgent need for HIV prevention work through education on such groups whose undertakings are posing a high level of danger to the society, citing those earning their living through sex trade and their partners as well as those working with the career, drug users and their close associates, hotels and inns, and Karaoke entertainment centers.

HIV prevalence rate has reportedly attained the most critical point especially in the border areas where socio-economic status is complicated.

The border town of Tachilek stands a main channel for trafficking women and children to Thailand and its nearby areas.

The authorities has launched education campaign in eastern Shanstate in 2008, saying that the campaign will be extended to Muse in northern Shan state.

As disclosed by the authorities, a total of 2,190 people, engaged in the sector, were exposed as carrying HIV in 2008.

According to a latest report of the UNAIDS, the number of people infected with HIV in Myanmar went to 240,000 in 2007, a drop from 300,000 in 2001.

HIV/AIDS is among the three major communicable diseases of national concern designated by Myanmar. The other two diseases are tuberculosis and malaria.

Myanmar treats the three diseases as priority with the main objectives of reducing the morbidity and mortality in a bid to become no longer a public problem and meet the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations.