STDs rise among sex workers

SURABAYA: Over 1,900 prostitutes operating in the two red- light districts of Dolly and Jarak have contracted sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), a health official said.

The Surabaya health agency's head of communicable diseases, Esty Martiana, said poor attention to safe sex had caused the rise in STD cases.

She said 945 of the sex workers had cervicitis -- most of whom were between 21 and 30 years old -- 296 had vaginitis and the rest, gonorrhea.

Esty said most of the women did not know how to use condoms properly.

In the neighboring town of Sidoarjo, the local health agency made an official announcement that its 17th HIV-positive case had been recorded. The first case emerged in 1999. -- JP