The [him] blogsite chatbox has the following three entries. And the article referred to is below.
There are three possible reasons for the rate of people living with HIV (prevalence) to fall: fewer people infected five to ten years ago, deaths, or different methods of measuring the prevalence.
There are two reasons for the estimated total number of people living with HIV to fall: lower prevalence or different methods of estimating the total number.
And we have to remember that successful antiretroviral therapy increases both prevalence and the estimated total number of people living with HIV.
The Chinese news agency is probably not interested in these distinctions.
[him] moderator
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chatbox entries:
mid: Number of HIV-infected people drop in Myanmar http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/05/content_8960702.htm
[5 Aug 08 01:57:35]
mid: YANGON, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The number of people infected with HIV dropped to 240,000 in 2007 from 300,000 in 2001, the local Newsweek journal quoted a recent report of the UNAIDS as saying Tuesday.
[5 Aug 08 01:57:39]
mid: only way thast's possible is that they are DEAD
[5 Aug 08 01:58:04]
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original article:
Number of HIV-infected people drop in Myanmar
www.chinaview.cn 2008-08-05 11:30:12
YANGON, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The number of people infected with HIV dropped to 240,000 in 2007 from 300,000 in 2001, the local Newsweek journal quoted a recent report of the UNAIDS as saying Tuesday.
The report attributed the fact to the fall in the number of HIV-infected pregnant women.
According to the report, there are 6 young women per 1,000 at the age between 15 and 24 infected with HIV, while it is for 7 young men per 1,000 at present in the country.
Official press media reported earlier that the infection rate of HIV in Myanmar declined to 0.67 percent in 2007 from 0.94 percent in 2000.
The figures were based on the findings from a HIV/AIDS projection and impact analysis workshop organization by the Myanmar government and the World Health Organization in September last year.
In its efforts to control AIDS, Myanmar set up the Central Committee for Control and Elimination of AIDS in 1989. A coordination body comprising the ministries, United Nations agencies and social organizations at home and abroad was also established.
As part of the project for control of AIDS and syphilis, efforts are being made for giving educative talks on AIDS, for 100-percent use of condoms in targeted groups in 170 townships in the country and for effective treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, according to the media report.
Work has also been underway for preventing spread of HIV among those who use drugs through injection and from mother to foetus at 37 hospitals and 106 townships, while preventing such spread through blood transfusion and introducing safe blood transfusion.
Besides, 13 strategies on preventive measures and rehabilitation are now being implemented under five-year national strategic plan (2006-2010) adopted collectively by the relevant ministries, local non-governmental organizations, UN agencies and community-based organizations,
In cooperation with foreign organizations in the fight, Myanmar is actively taking part in implementing the ASEAN HIV/AIDS Control Plan, the HIV Prevention Plan in Mekong Region countries, and regional and central level plans of UN agencies.
HIV/AIDS is among the three major communicable diseases of national concern designated by Myanmar. The other two diseases are tuberculosis and malaria.
Editor: An
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/05/content_8960702.htm
Thanks, Mid. We are in complete agreement that the report in China Daily sloppily says that the number of people dropped instead of the truer "the estimate has decreased". I have come to regard Xinhua articles to reflect what the Party wants the truth to be rather than what it is.
ok my apologies , we're actually arguing at cross purposes here . As to one year old you and I both know that up to date figures re HIV are like hens teeth , and I'm not arguing that the report is correct in anyway , quite the opposite in fact . My point , such as it is , is that it's sloppy journalism because it reads that there are less people living with HIV in '07 than there were in '01 .
now given that no cure exists .......................
best wishes
mid
This "news" is almost one year old. I have read it slowly. Three times. And I understand what it says. But this does not mean that the news report is correct. There are at least two or three possible reasons for this change in the estimated number of people living with HIV. "Deaths" is only one of those reasons.
The number of people infected with HIV dropped to 240,000 in 2007 from 300,000 in 2001 .
please read the above quote from the article slowly .
mid
Sorry that you do not believe that there are other explanations that can be understood by everyone, Mid. But thanks for commenting.
whilst I agree with your statistical analaysis , to the laymans eyes the article suggests that there are less people living with HIV now than 6 yrs ago and in this respect I maintain that the only way this is possible is that the extra's are DEAD .
mid