Of the 354 HIV positive patients in the country, 47 percent of them live in Chhukha and Thimphu. Number of population and existing social norms are the reasons for the higher number of HIV patients residing in Chhukha and Thimphu, as per the health ministry’s report.
Health ministry’s HIV Programme Officer, Chador Wangdi said Thimphu and Phuentshogling are considered commercial hubs with the vulnerability of getting infected higher.
There are more than 100,000 people living in the capital and more than 80,000 in Phuentshogling.
Chador Wangdi said agreeing to meet strangers and directly involving into intimate relationship has become accepted norm in the society.
Multiple partners and extra marital affairs are also contributing to the rising number of HIV infection in the country.
Health ministry survey to assess on sexual network in Thimphu in 2009 showed that 45 percent of male and more than 24 percent of female, who were interviewed for the sexual networking, they have extra marital affairs within 12 months.
He also said use of condom is low in the country.
