AEGiS-DMG: Estimated worldwide HIV infections: 49 216 465 at 10am on Thursday, October 31, 2002

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Estimated worldwide HIV infections: 49 216 465 at 10am on Thursday, October 31, 2002

Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg) - October 31, 2002

Uneducated: China's young people are grossly unaware of how Aids is spread. According to a survey, many believe people can contract the disease from mosquito bites. Two-thirds of secondary school students surveyed in Beijing did not know mosquitoes were not to blame and half were unaware that proper use of condoms can reduce the risk of contracting Aids, the Beijing Xinbao newspaper said. As a result of the study Beijing?s education department has asked all secondary schools to begin teaching Aids awareness as part of the school curriculum.

Death for offenders: The death penalty has been proposed in Lesotho for people who commit sexual offences knowing they are HIV-positive. The proposal was contained in draft legislation before the Lesotho Parliament providing stringent penalties for sexual offenders and child abusers. The Minister of Justice, Law and Constitutional Affair, Refiloe Masemene, outlined the proposals when he introduced debate on the Sexual Offences Bill in the National Assembly on Wednesday. The Bill provides for compulsory testing of people who have committed sexual offences to determine an appropriate sentence.

Source: Sapa, www.redribbon.co.za

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