In recent interviews in Nekemt the Amharic service talked to people who agree with claims by UNICEF, UNAIDS and the World Health Organization that there is a decrease in HIV prevalence in Ethiopia.
Health workers and rural residence in east Wollega zone of Oromiya told VOA that government and NGO services for AIDS treatment may not be sufficient to meet the depth of the health crisis, but education and testing programs have made a difference.
The head of Family Planning for Western Nekempt Zone, Ato Guya Sareb, told VOA their distribution of condoms and their prevention education programs are working. Guya said he think all couples have begun submitting to testing before getting married.
A farmer fromWayu Tuka woreda who was selling potatoes in the Nekempt market said the extension health workers have been very effective in talking about the dangers of female circumcision and safe-sex methods of preventing HIV infections.
While the rate of infection in this region may have lowered due to increased access to education, the number of people who live with AIDS remains large and officials need to do much more than before.
