Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Len8]

Article from the Korean Herald

The number of HIV infections and cases of AIDS in Korea rose by 13 percent year on year up to September, with the older generation showing a noticeable increase in infection.

A total of 572 Koreans - 527 men and 45 women - were newly infected with HIV between January and September this year, up from the 506 cases reported in the same period last year, the Korean Center for Disease Control and Prevention said yesterday.

The number indicates that an average of 2.1 people a day are being infected with the potentially deadly virus. As of September, 4,401 had contracted the disease, of which 806 had died.

A noticeable increase was detected among those in the older age bracket of 60 and older, with a total of 56 new infections. This compares to only 10 in that age group infected with HIV for the whole of 2000.

"This change appears to be largely due to the longer average life-span and the continued sexual activity of the older generation," officials said. "We are planning to develop sex education programs for the older generation to prevent further cases."

People in their 30s were found most vulnerable to the disease, recording up 30.8 percent of the new infections, followed by those in their 40s and 20s with 24.1 and 19.6 percent, respectively.

With 366 cases infected through unsafe sexual intercourse, the agency also accentuated the need for the use of protection.

"Considering the fact that most were infected through sexual intercourse, it is important to use condoms and other protection. Also, there is a need to raise public awareness on the importance of taking voluntary HIV examinations."

AIDS was first reported in South Korea in 1985. In 2005, the nation's rate of condom use stood at a mere 23 percent, while other countries show 40 to 60 percent in protection usage.

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By Shin Hae-in

[jajdude]

They need some help from this guy:

http://www.time.com/time/asia/2006/heroes/in_viravaidya.html

Oh, and they need decent condoms too.

[cdninkorea]

Link?

[flakfizer]

I blame their condom campaign. I just don't find this cartoon message too convincing.