AIDS and poverty considered major problem - survey

RWANDA: AIDS and poverty considered major problem - survey

JOHANNESBURG, 11 Aug 2005 (PLUSNEWS) - A recent national survey commissioned by a Rwandan newspaper, the New Times, has found that a majority of respondents considered HIV/AIDS and poverty as the main problems facing the country.

The study, conducted among 200 people in five provinces from 10 to 30 July this year, found that 45 percent of participants felt poverty was the most pressing problem, while 20 percent named AIDS.

According to New Times, respondents agreed that poverty and AIDS were both a hindrance to development, and urged greater government action.

Although an estimated 60 percent of Rwandans live below the poverty line, official figures suggest that extensive prevention efforts have reduced HIV prevalence from 13 percent to between 4 percent and 7 percent.

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