Free HIV/AIDS testing at Addis university.

21 Sep, 2006

Students and staff at the state-run Addis Ababa University (AAU) can now receive free HIV/AIDS counselling and testing at the Arat Kilo and Sidist Kilo campuses and in the Casa Inches area in the Urael district south east of the city centre. The service, run by the United States-based African AIDS Initiative International, also includes pregnancy testing and emergency contraception for female students as well as funding for awareness-raising activities carried out by student groups. So far over 500 students and 80 staff have benefited from the service, according to Walta Information Centre. There are plans to extend services to a further four AAU campuses including the Debre Zeit veterinary and technology faculties outside Addis Ababa.

Two million out of Ethiopias 77 million people are believed to be living with HIV/AIDS, with a higher prevalence rate in urban than in rural areas.