More than half of young Swazis are HIV-positive

According to the 9th HIV Sentinel Survey, conducted by the Swaziland National AIDS Task Force, 56% of the nation's adults ages 25-29 are infected with HIV. Data for the survey were taken from pregnant women who attended prenatal clinics in 2004; this group is considered a valid model for projecting the adult population's overall HIV rate. According to the survey, the HIV infection rate among people ages 19-49 rose to 42.6% from the 38.6% recorded last year. Helping to drive the epidemic, activists say, is a reluctance to test for HIV and a cultural taboo against admitting illness. Reuters obtained a copy of the report, which is to be released later this month by the health ministry. (Reuters)