ZAMBIA: VCT/condom takeup low - survey
[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]
JOHANNESBURG, 20 April (PLUSNEWS) - Zambia's '2005 Sexual Behaviour Survey', published on Wednesday, revealed that only 13 percent of the population has been tested for HIV, while condom use was lower than in previous years, indicating a declining trend.
The study noted that knowledge of voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) services was higher among urban respondents (87 percent), than rural participants (79 percent), while condom use stood at 48 percent among town dwellers and 26 percent of those living in the countryside.
Simon Miti, permanent secretary in the ministry of health, said despite the slow VCT uptake and reduced condom use, the findings could provide the necessary information for monitoring and evaluating HIV/AIDS intervention programmes.
A local newspaper, The Post, quoted Miti as saying, "This will also allow us to assess the successes and failures of existing AIDS policies and programmes, in order to determine the way forward."
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