South Africa: Obesity More Serious Than HIV Infection - SANDF
An estimated 23 percent of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers are HIV-positive, SANDF Health Service Director Pieter Oelofse has announced.
However, HIV infection was seen by Oelofse as a less prevalent or serious threat to the combat readiness of the defence force's 75,000 soldiers than obesity and hearing loss.
According to a local newspaper, Sunday Times, the HIV prevalence estimate was based on health assessment tests of soldiers deployed on various missions.
Some 17 percent tested HIV-positive during preparation for a 1999 deployment, and a similar percentage tested HIV-positive during routine health assessments in March 2000.
-
20 Août 2004 à 17:39 dans
- zsandf (anglais)
