Western Jamaica has been experiencing a drop in the rate of HIV infection and the number of reported AIDS cases over the past two years.

Christopher Fogo, regional behaviour change communication coordinator for Trelawny, St. James, Westmoreland and Hanover, believes this is because people are internalising the safer sex messages put forward by the prevention programmes and are getting tested.

"We have a better surveillance system now," he said. "Testing is becoming more normalised, so people are finding out [their HIV status] earlier and are able to take some steps to protect themselves."

Infection rate

Despite this drop, however, the rate is still considered high. Cheryl Belcher-Peart, regional HIV prevention technical officer, said the infection rate and number of AIDS cases are still cumulatively the highest in Jamaica, but they are still lower than the rates for Kingston and St. Andrew.

The latest figures from the Ministry of Health show western Jamaica reported 137 AIDS cases between January and June 2005. This number decreased to 110 for the same period last year. This is 39 and 65 cases respectively, less than Kingston and St. Andrew. There was a similar situation with the number of AIDS deaths, as western Jamaica reported 100 deaths between January and June 2005 and 53 in 2006. On the other hand, Kingston and St. Andrew reported 122 deaths in 2005 and 85 in 2006 over the same six-month period.

Mr. Fogoalso explained that the persons living with HIV are being more cautious.

"The programmes inform them that unprotected sex can make them sick and expose them to other strains. Once they realise their status, they take the necessary preventive measures. But some people do go back, some women do become pregnant," he said.

- T.W.