They urged the media to play due role for increasing public awareness of the disease and ways to prevent it. The speakers said there were several HIV risk factors such as having unprotected anal or vaginal sex, low literacy rate, especially among women, indiscriminate transfusion of unscreened blood, use of un-sterilised medical instruments, re-use of used syringes and needles, sharing of contaminated needles and syringes, quackery, community dental clinics, street barbers, commercial sex, sex of men with men, labour migration, rising number of drug addicts, use of low quality condoms.
They warned if immediate and vigorous action was not taken, HIV could spread in the country fast. He said if someone had a possible HIV exposure lately, the re-testing should be done after six weeks to confirm test results. The physician said the test for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections was strongly advised for all people exposed to any of the risk factors so that they could learn about themselves and access necessary prevention and treatment services without delay.
Dr Jamal said individuals could reduce the risk of HIV infection by limiting exposure to risk factors. He said the recommendations included male circumcision, partner reduction, use of anti-retroviral drugs for HIV-positive partner, correct and constant use of condoms, and interventions targeting populations most at risk. Another expert, Dr Attaullah, said the Pakistan was in a concentrated phase of the epidemic, which meant HIV was concentrated among certain population groups.
He said the HIV prevalence was Facebook Count. Twitter Share. Among them, 1, are men, women and 76 children. The expert said the HIV incidence was below 0. Published in Dawn, December 1st, Read more.
On DawnNews. Comments 17 Closed Popular Newest Oldest. Sajid Syed. Dec 01, pm. HIV virus cannot stay active outside human blood more than a couple of seconds.
