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SWAZILAND: Army HIV/AIDS policy proposed

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

JOHANNESBURG, 8 April (PLUSNEWS) - Swaziland's Ministry of Defence in a new study has found that soldiers were at a higher risk of HIV infection than the general public, the Pan African News Agency reported.

"This is due to the nature of their work. Being socially isolated for long periods, they develop high-risk behaviour that is fuelled by peer pressure to engage in unprotected sex," the ministry said.

As a result of the findings, the ministry found it necessary to establish an HIV/AIDS policy for the army, which would be implemented by the chiefs of branches down to the lowest levels of command.

According to the report, the policy would entail managing an AIDS programme in the defence force, adherence to human rights in the HIV/AIDS scenario, approaches through prevention, voluntary counselling and testing, and the provision of care and support to HIV-positive soldiers.

[ENDS]

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