A recent ZJB news report revealed that since 2001 twenty five (25) persons have tested positive for the HIV AIDS disease in Montserrat. But, HIV SDI coordinator, Angella Skerritt in the Ministry of Health says that she is concerned about the lifestyles of sexually active persons who are not protecting themselves in Montserrat.
During the eight-year period, 12 women and 13 men tested positive for the disease. The most positive tests were recorded in 2004 and 2005 when four and five persons respectively were found to have contracted the disease. In 2009 the report said, 810 persons were tested when the incident rate was estimated by the ministry of health to be 0.2% per 1000.
Mrs. Skerritt told reporters, “we are not seeing is the behavior change, we’re not seeing people identifying their own personal risk and correctly admitting to what their risk are and making the decision to reduce their own personal risk,” adding that there is nothing one can do if an individual does not take the necessary precautions and make the necessary decisions to reduce their own personal sexual risk.
