Majority of HIV infections in China 'contracted through heterosexual sex'
25/11/2009
Heterosexual sex is the biggest spreader of HIV in China, it has been discovered.
According to a report compiled by the United Nations, 40 per cent of new HIV cases diagnosed in China are contracted through heterosexual sex, while homosexual sex accounts for 32 per cent of cases.
The remainder are down to drug use – a source that used to be the biggest cause of HIV infections in the country.
Michel Sidibe, executive director for UNAIDS stated: "We are transitioning. We are seeing a shift in the nature of the epidemic. We need to ensure resource allocation is responding to that change."
He added that due to similar patterns emerging in countries across Asia and Africa, there is an increased need for those most at risk of contracting the infection – such as sex workers and migrants - to be focused upon.
This report comes after a study published by Unicef highlighted that China has progressed well when it come to the welfare of its children, but stated that more needs to be done to address the plight of youngsters in rural areas. 
