Transvestites warned of HIV

MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: Some 40 transvestites in the capital of Sikka regency concluded a three-day workshop on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) awareness on Wednesday.

Lambertus Durek, the head of the Cinta Kehidupan Foundation, the workshop's organizer, said the program targeted transvestites because of their vulnerability to the virus.

"Basically, we simply tried to provide them with all the information about how to protect themselves from contracting the virus," Durek said.

A recent study conducted by the foundation served to warn the regency about its vulnerability to HIV, which causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The study revealed that children in the regency as young as 11 were engaging in sex.

"There have been no cases of HIV reported yet, but we must remain alert due to the fact that this regency is one of the province's tourist destinations," Durek said. (yac)