"However, we are also concerned when their immune system is weak, of course, it will affect their health and illness."Kediri, East Java (ANTARA News) - Six infants in Kediri district, East Java province, have been infected with HIV-AIDS through their mothers, head of Disease Eradication and Environmental Health section Nur Munawaroh said here Thursday.
The six infected infants were known only during 2010. Of the number, two had died, while the four others are still under treatment, she said.
"Their condition is quite good and being monitored by the health office. However, we are also concerned when their immune system is weak, of course, it will affect their health and illness," Munawaroh said.
She said, the cases of children under five findings of HIV-AIDS in the district was currently quite high. On average they were infected directly through their mothers who were already suffering from the disease.
According to data obtained by the office, the number of mothers infected with HIV-AIDS is continuing to rise. The percentage reached 14 percent, the second highest after the commercial sex worker group cases, Munawaroh said.
Meanwhile, the number of commercial sex workers infected with HIV-AIDS reached 107 and that of housewives 32 from a total of 237 patients.
The number of cases in accordance with data obtained from East Java province which shows the number of children aged 0-5 years living with HIV-AIDS reached 71.
Meanwhile, the children aged 5-9 years 24 cases, aged 10-14 years 13 cases and 15-19 years 67 cases.
Munawaroh said, the HIV-infected mothers most likely contracted the disease through their husbands.
For prevention, it can be done through various ways, including cesarean birth process and giving formula milk to the baby instead of breast milk of mothers who are infected with HIV.
The number of HIV-AIDS sufferers in Kediri district was ranked sixth in East Java province.
In fact, the number has not shown the actual cases because many sufferers have not yet been identified.
Inspection and socialization continue done by the health office. In addition, the office also conducts site visits to eight former localizations, in turn using a special car, Munawaroh explained.
She said, there was only one clinic for sexually transmitted infection examination in Kediri district. While at Pelem, Pare General Hospital there was a VCT (Volunteer Counseling And Testing) clinic.
"We plan to add a clinic for sexually transmitted infection examination and currently it is still in the planning. It is not powerful if there is only one clinic and depend on the car running to check the former localizations," Munawaroh said.
(T.KR-LWA/HAJM/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
