South Central Health District has 4th Highest Prevalence for HIV in State

The South Central Health district says teenagers made up 25 percent of new HIV and AIDS cases reported last year. 

Robbie Bowman, the HIV coordinator, says the new cases include males and females.  HIV was contracted through teenage males having sex with other males, and then sleeping with women, she said. 

The South Central health district has the fourth highest prevalence of HIV in the state, behind three counties in metro Atlanta.

“What that tells me is more teenagers are being involved in risky behaviors,” said Doctor Don Nelson.  He says the district will re-emphasize abstinance and safe sex.

In 2008, the most recent statistics, there were 294 confirmed cases of HIV and 241 AIDS cases in the South Central health district.