8 Mar 2018

Kiribati reports highest number of HIV cases in study

9:14 am on 8 March 2018

Kiribati has the highest number of people reported to be living with HIV out of seven Pacific nations in a new study.

A scientist holds three test tubes filled with blood in a laboratory.

Photo: 123RF

The People Living with HIV Stigma Index Study has recorded a total of 28 people from Kiribati with HIV.

The other Pacific nations in the study are the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa and Palau.

Regional co-ordinator of the study, Jokapeci Tuberi Cati, said out of the 28 cases in Kiribati, only five people were interviewed and monitored taking their anti-retroviral treatment.

"You will find the statistics in Kiribati is highest compared to the rest of the countries, but in reality, there is no story behind whether they have died or whether they have migrated or what's happening."

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