Malawi holds HIV prevalence rate survey

Malawi holds a detailed HIV prevalence rate survey from November 27, 2015 when 33000 respondents will have their blood samples tested for the killer disease.

Dr Mathes Joshua of Zomba Central Hospital said during the launch of the survey in eastern region that the survey, the first of its kind in Malawi will also target 15000 households across the country.

He explained that the country uses data collected in 2010 which shows that the prevalence rate is at 10.5 percent.

Joshua said this data could not e relied upon much as it was collected in hospitals only.

Dr Blessings Chinsinga of Centre for Social Research at Chancellor College in Zomba whose organisation has been commissioned to conduct the survey said respondents will not be forced to have the HIV test.