HIV Transmission Continues to Rise at Beijing Universities

The number of HIV transmissions at Beijing universities continues to rise at an alarming rate over the past year, say local heath authorities.

Citing incomplete statistics, the Municipal Education Commission said the city's total number of university students infected with HIV has risen to 1,244 as of June of last year.

Out of those cases, 722 patients were aged 18-22 and showed two distinct trends: 98 percent of them are male, and 87 percent were transmitted the HIV virus from male-to-male sex.

The commission said many students lacked the knowledge to help protect themselves against the disease, and encouraged schools to help raise awareness through school courses. "Colleges should attach importance to the rising trend of HIV/AIDS infections among students," said the commission.

AIDS awareness courses have been held at Beijing universities since at least 2015 when some 11,000 students from seven local universities took part. Other initiatives undertaken by Beijing universities include giving away free HIV tests in 2016 and offering vending machine-sold anonymous HIV self-testing kits last year.

Jiang Chu, director of the CDC in Beijing's Haidian district, explained the rise in HIV transmission among Beijing university students as being partly due to a generational difference.

"Many college students in Beijing have a more liberal mind than previous generations," said Jiang. "This has created serious challenges for the prevention and control of HIV in Beijing."

However, Jiang noted that progress is being made. "We find many universities are now paying more attention to HIV control and prevention," he said. "Many of them are now supporting us in the installation of such machines on campus."

"Just a few years ago they were reluctant to do so for various reasons, including denial that HIV cases were a problem."

Images: NetEase (163.com)

---

Top Stories This Week:

Beijingers Are Buzzing About: