JP\/5\/CHURCH<\/p>\n
Papuan churches on front line of HIV\/AIDS fight<\/p>\n
Antara\/Manado<\/p>\n
Papuan churches have joined forces to battle the spread of
\nHIV\/AIDS in the region, a church leader said in Manado, North
\nSulawesi.<\/p>\n
Rev. Domianus, who was attending a church function in Manado,
\nsaid churches in Papua had started the Oikumene Movement to fight
\nthe spread of the virus.<\/p>\n
As part of the movement, the churches hold retreats and Masses
\nfor young people, to warn them of the dangers of unprotected sex
\nand sharing needles.<\/p>\n
The churches also teach young Papuans not to discriminate
\nagainst or ostracize people living with HIV\/AIDS.<\/p>\n
The movement is exposing young people to the knowledge they
\nrequire to avoid HIV\/AIDS, while also teaching them that it is
\nsafe to embrace, literally and figuratively, people living with
\nthe virus.<\/p>\n
HIV\/AIDS has spread through Papua at an alarming rate since
\nfirst being detected in the province 11 years ago. The Papuan
\nHealth Office estimates that more than 60,000 people across the
\nprovince are at risk of becoming infected with HIV\/AIDS.<\/p>\n
The virus first appeared in Papua in Merauke, allegedly
\ntransmitted to sex workers by Thai fishermen. It has since spread
\nto the remotest areas of the province.<\/p>\n
An at-risk population of over 60,000 is significant in a
\nprovince with a population of 2,516,310 people, consisting of
\n1,322,890 men and 1,193,420 women.<\/p>\n
The health office estimates there are currently 11,042 people
\nin the province living with HIV\/AIDS.<\/p>\n
That estimate is much higher than the 1,910 HIV\/AIDS cases
\nofficially reported to the office. The main cause of HIV\/AIDS
\ntransmission in Papua is through sexual intercourse.<\/p>\n
Most of those infected with HIV\/AIDS in Papua are in their
\nproductive years, between the ages of 15 and 39.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp5church-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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