‘Worrying’ Aids figures in Phuket

[LivinLOS]

PHUKET: Phuket has the second-highest incidence of Aids of Thailand’s southern provinces, and the fifth-highest rate in the country, according to the Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO).

The number of cases is still rising, Dr Wanchai Sattayawuthipong, the head of the PPHO, said. “The number of Aids cases in Phuket has risen in each of the past three years. In Phuket, only cancer kills more people than Aids,” he said.

Dr Wanchai was speaking yesterday at a meeting arranged by the PPHO at the Phuket Provincial Hall, and chaired by Vice-Governor Vinai Buapradit.

Phuket currently has 3,313 confirmed Aids patients, of whom 2,310 are male and 1,003 female, Dr Wanchai said. A total of 869 are recorded as having died of Aids since the disease was first detected in Phuket.

“The worrying thing is that the age at which people become infected is lower than it was in the past,” said Dr Wanchai. “Most people who die a re in the 25-to-44 age group.”

He continued, “Moreover, my research indicates that the number of mothers infected with HIV is rising – it’s currently increasing 1.67% a year, against a Ministry of Public Health target [for this year] of 1.2%.”

Dr Wanchai said he was “worried” about the Aids situation in Phuket, and that the number of teenagers infected with HIV was a particular cause for concern.

Public agencies should work together to slow the spread of HIV/Aids, he said. One example of this would be for the government to zone entertainment venues, as this would make it easier for health officials and educators to reach the sex workers who operate from businesses such as bars and karaoke parlors.

The international organization UNAids warned recently that the spread of HIV/Aids is still accelerating worldwide, with East Asia being among the areas recording the fastest growth, particularly among women.

The BBC reported recently that an estim ated 39.4 million people around the world are living with HIV, up from an estimated 36.6 million in 2002, an increase of 7.7% in two years.

Any idea of the 'total' population of Phuket ??

Also do you think they are using the terms correctly ? When thy say it is increasing 1.67 % I would assume they mean inreasing to 1.67% ??

[richie007]

Its a statistic that is probably much higher in patong or the beer barrs and ago go bars.

I remember talking to one of the bar owners under the Tiger complex early this year and the number of girls he knew who had contracted hiv and left patong really scared the shit out of me!!! Suffice to say that that night I decided to sleep alone

[Paddy]

It's interesting that the number of males is twice as high as the number of females. Don't forget there's a really big gay scene in Phuket. From the point of view of most BMs' main interest (ie LBFMs), that makes those figures slightly less frightening.

[Nicke]

Population here is estimated at 450,000 if I remember right, including people from other provinces. Number of people registered here is just 200,000 something.

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Any idea of the 'total' population of Phuket ??

Also do you think they are using the terms correctly ? When thy say it is increasing 1.67 % I would assume they mean inreasing to 1.67% ??

[andy50]

i think what they mean is, its increasing at a rate of 1.67%each year, i wont be putting my member into any l/bs bottoms so hopefully my chances of acquiring aids is greatly diminished!anyone know where i can buy some of those trojan condoms ,theyre are about 2mm thick ,and u can use them again and again!"

[Allybabba22]

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Any idea of the 'total' population of Phuket ??

Also do you think they are using the terms correctly ? When thy say it is increasing 1.67 % I would assume they mean inreasing to 1.67% ??

I guess they mean its a 1.67% increase on the last time they checked, Which is not that bad considering the growing population of phuket, Anyway there's no point in taking risks so everybody should still cover up before going into battle, Yes i know me aswell

[aussie dollar]

If my maths are right only about 0.8% of population which is about normal
for most parts of the world.
and if not on the dark side % probaly lower !

[JayBee]

Originally Posted by richie007

Its a statistic that is probably much higher in patong or the beer barrs and ago go bars.

I remember talking to one of the bar owners under the Tiger complex early this year and the number of girls he knew who had contracted hiv and left patong really scared the shit out of me!!! Suffice to say that that night I decided to sleep alone

From what i have heard, they say that girls with HIV usualy go back to the village or town. I know one bartender who used to be a BG. Her younger sister died from AIDS. But when you ask about it, they never say AIDS, just ,"Oh, she got sick. Went back to home and died." No mention of AIDS.

But there is always the time before they know they have HIV, when others that go with them are at risk. And some even knowing that they have HIV might fake the tests. If they lose their job at a bar because of HIV, then if they don't want to go home, they work the streets. Look at some of the girls who work the streets and clubs, and ask yourself why they don't work in a bar? Some of the FLs have good reasons, but one of the reasons could be a positive HIV test, and I really wonder about the ones on the streets with the sad faces!

When you think about it too much, it's almost enough to make you want to get married! Nah-h-h-h!

JayBee

[tintin]

I have the impression, that the younger generation are a bit more careful.I had 4 bgs this trip and they all were very secure about condoms. There are desperate girl doing it without, but either I choose my girls a certain way, either they get smarter and use them!

[Yoda]

i dont think it is wise to ****yse statistics,the fact is that hiv is real and if you have unprotected sex you are at risk.bag up every time and dont die of ignorence!

[Yoda]

quality **** has been censored from my last post.hahaha

[crazyswede]

Originally Posted by tintin

I have the impression, that the younger generation are a bit more careful.I had 4 bgs this trip and they all were very secure about condoms. There are desperate girl doing it without, but either I choose my girls a certain way, either they get smarter and use them!

Four (4) Bg´s ????
How many day´s did you stay Tintin?
Only two (2) ??

*kidding*

cs//

[Mav]

"Stickman" has some very good stoties/info re HIV, worth a read if you enjoy your health......even if you currently smoke, do drugs, are addicted to alcohol...etc

[JayBee]

Originally Posted by Mav

"Stickman" has some very good stoties/info re HIV, worth a read if you enjoy your health......even if you currently smoke, do drugs, are addicted to alcohol...etc

I think that I need to read some scary AIDS stories before the next trip just to pump up my paranoia to make sure that I don't slip up and go bareback riding again!