UN report reveals prevalence of HIV in PNG
Updated
The most comprehensive report yet on HIV shows that prevalence of the virus in Papua New Guinea is at epidemic levels, but is not as high as most thought.
Our PNG correspondent, Steve Marshall, says until now it was thought that two per cent or more of PNG's population was infected with HIV/AIDS.
A United Nations report, with input from an unprecedented number of organisations, says the figure is less - around 1.6 per cent.
The community services minister, Dame Carol Kidu, is cautiously optimistic that change is taking place.
"I think it does indicate that maybe there is some increased awareness going on ... and acceptance of the message and behavioural change because of the message," she said.
However, it is estimated that 60 per cent of those infected don't know it and it is in the rural areas where the virus is really taking a strangle-hold.
