AIDS high among housewives and workers: Commission

The number of HIV/AIDS cases among housewives and employees in Jakarta is high, the Jakarta AIDS Handling Commission announced on Thursday.

“As of June, the number of recorded cases among housewives is 147, while for workers the toll is 283 cases. 199 of them are HIV cases and 84 AIDS cases,” commission secretary Rohana Manggala said, as quoted by kompas.com.

She said that many of the infected housewives received the disease from their husbands who prior to or during marriage had indulged in prostitution, thus referred to as high risk men (HRM).

“Around 20 percent of adult males are HRM. They contribute greatly to the spread of the disease because they will get married, have a partner and have children,” she said.

To prevent the spread of the disease, she said, the commission has repeatedly urged members of the public to avoid risky behavior, remain loyal to their partners. Infected individuals are also urged to take immediate medication.