[Pantyholic]

JAKARTA, INDONESIA:

34% Of Jakarta’s Transvestites Are HIV Positive

Thirty-four per cent of transvestites in this city are infected with HIV, a survey has revealed.

According to the Biology and Behaviour Survey (STBP), the number of HIV infection among the transvestite community in Jakarta has steadily risen since 1995, when only 0.3% was reportedly HIV positive.

Indonesia’s health ministry reported that there were 20,960 to 25,300 transvestites in the country in 2006.

“These findings are significant as the numbers are among the highest in Asia in the last few years,” Tjandra Yoga Aditama, the director for disease control and environmental health, said.

The 2007 STBP survey also revealed that the majority of transvestites were sex workers, many of whom were also listed as being in stable relationships with non-sex worker males. Tjandra added that condom usage has proven inconsequential in preventing the spread of the disease within the transvestite community and that more members have received counseling and HIV testing offers in recent years. (The Jakarta Post/ AsiaNews)