Gareth Manning, Gleaner Writer
HEALTH OFFICIALS are reporting a significant decline in the number of AIDS cases reported for the January to March quarter of this year.
According to statistics released by the National HIV/STI Prevention and Control Programme, there is a 20 per cent decline in the number of cases reported compared to the same period in 2004.
"Though there has been a slight decrease compared to last year, it is still too early to tell if we are turning the epidemic," programme coordinator, Dr. Yitades Gebre, told journalists yesterday. He was speaking at the launch of the Workplace Mass Media Campaign held at the Terra Nova Hotel in St. Andrew.
According to statistics compiled by the programme, there were 244 reported cases of AIDS in Jamaica between the months of January and March. One hundred and thirty-nine of the cases were men, while women accounted for the other 105 cases. Children represented 13 deaths of the total figure.
This is a dramatic decrease compared to 2004 figures that showed 306 reported cases.
DEATH TOLL LIMPS ON
But deaths have risen slightly according to the statistics, with a minimal increase in the number of men dying from the disease. Some 170 people died from AIDS between January and March, while 167 people died during the same period last year. One hundred and nine of total deaths were men, an increase of 18 deaths among this group. Children accounted for eight of total deaths.
Meanwhile, chairman of the National AIDS Committee, Howard Hamilton, noted there were 22,000 Jamaicans living with HIV. Some 65 per cent of these people do not know they are living with the virus.
"Anyone of us who is sexually active and not using a condom, or not using condoms over time, could be infected," Mr. Hamilton said in his address to the audience.
Dr. Gebre noted that stigma and discrimination contributed to the issue. He said people did not get themselves tested because they feared being ostracised by society.
Over $88 million has been spent by the programme over the past six months to fight against discrimination.
Hamilton expects partnership with the media will lead to success in stemming the problem.
"Whatever the media carry will make the difference. Success of this campaign is dependent on the media," he said.
