Cambodia estimates 50,000 people facing high risks of HIV infections: health official

[geovalin]

PHNOM PENH, May 14 -- Approximately 50,000 people are facing high risks of HIV/AIDS infections in Cambodia, a health official said Wednesday.

Dr. Mean Chhi Vun, director of Cambodia's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STDs, said the high-risk groups of HIV/ AIDS infections are among female entertainment workers, drug users, and men who have sex with men.

"It is estimated that some 35,000 female workers are working at entertainment businesses-60 percent of them are in Phnom Penh City, " he told Xinhua over telephone.

"In addition, there are about 10,000 drug users and the rest are among gays."

"We are working with concerned partners and organizations to promote awareness among those high-risk groups," he added.

According to figures from the Ministry of Tourism, there are 659 entertainment-related businesses throughout Cambodia.

The National AIDS Authority said the country has an estimated 71,350 people living with HIV/AIDS including 6,850 children. Of them about 85 percent have received antiretroviral drugs.

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