HIV infections among pregnant rises in Swaziland

In a country where nearly 40 percent of the population has HIV infection, the problem appears to be increasing with those who are pregnant.

After dipping a few years ago, the number of pregnant women with HIV in Swaziland has climbed back to 42 percent.

The statistic comes from an annual government report. After releasing the figure, government spokesmen expressed frustration as to what to do about the problem.

From the AFP story that we found from TV station WINK, we learn more about the AIDS problem in Swaziland.

"The figures were alarmingly high, such that we do not know what is the real cause because we have employed every strategy to combat the spread of the epidemic," Health Minister Benedict Xaba told state radio.

The ante-natal study conducted every two years has been on the rise since the first survey in 1992, when the rate was 3.9 percent.

Xaba said that infection rates appeared to be stabilising among teenage mothers.

"However, the age group 25-39 still shows a steady increase over the years and this is a cause for concern as this is the productive age group," he added.

AIDS activists have criticised government's inadequate distribution of medications in a country where close to 40 percent of the adult population is infected with the disease.

King Mswati III exerts absolute rule over the tiny mountainous kingdom, with a lavish lifestyle in a country mired in poverty.