Prostitutes infected with gonorrhea

JAMBI, Jambi: A total of 183, or 89 percent, of prostitutes working the Payosigadung area have gonorrhea, according to a health official.

Antara reported Tuesday that Aspan Effendi of the Ministry of Health's Jambi office said his office has tested the blood of 226 prostitutes for Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and found many infected with gonorrhea, instead.

"No prostitutes have been found with HIV/AIDS but there were plenty cases of gonorrhea, syphilis and other venereal diseases. This is very alarming," he said.

Aspan's office has started treating the prostitutes but health workers complained of prostitutes who refused to seek their help.

"We can't make them. We can only remind them how important it is they seek early treatment," he said. (swe)