HIV cases double among Guangdong students

The number of HIV carriers in many cities in Guangdong has experienced double digit growth. [file photo]

South China's Guangdong Province has recently seen a twofold growth in the number of HIV carriers among university students, according to Bai Zhiquan, the member of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Guangdong.

The number of HIV carriers in many cities in Guangdong has experienced double digit growth. By October last year, Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, reported 5,852 HIV carriers, among which 1,979 became positive and 785 died. The city has seen an average 13 percent increase in HIV carriers each year since 2008.

According to an unnamed previous survey, about 5 percent of homosexuals in China are HIV carriers.

It is important to increase awareness of AIDS and HIV prevention on campuses, Bai said. Universities need to introduce sex education into curriculums as common optional courses and highlight the prevention measures in school clinics and campaigns.

However, the most urgent issue in controlling the spread of HIV is to overcome the taboo about sex in school and make condoms available in campuses, Bai emphasized.