Prostitutes found HIV positive

UJUNGPANDANG: Four Ujungpandang women, all prostitutes, have been diagnosed as having the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Three are in a rehabilitation center while the fourth has fled.

The four had undergone the Elisa blood test. The last test to detect whether a person has the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), is pending.

Abd. Karim, chief of the provincial social department, told reporters yesterday that the spread of HIV in Central Sulawesi was rapid because of widespread prostitution.

Karim urged residents to avoid having sexual intercourse with prostitutes.

Official figures show that Indonesia has 463 people with HIV/AIDS. (20/14)