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AFRICA: Education lowers refugee AIDS rates

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

JOHANNESBURG, 8 June (PLUSNEWS) - A drop in HIV infection rates among African refugees was the result of intensive AIDS education and changed sexual behaviour, the UN refugee agency UNHCR has said.

Speaking at a recent workshop in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, UNHCR expert on HIV/AIDS, Dr Patterson Njogu, said: "The number of condoms being used in refugee camps has increased dramatically. At one time you could not talk about condoms in the camps. Now condoms are very much in demand."

Njogu said the number of sex partners decreased significantly, as had the incidence of transactional sex.

While refugees were at greater risk of HIV infection – because of rape during conflicts, disrupted health care and the trading of sex for food - this did not necessarily translate into higher infection rates, UNHCR added.

[ENDS]

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