Dutse — The Executive Director Jigawa State Action Committee on AIDS (JISACA) Dr Bashir Ahmad says HIV/AIDS is more prevalent among rural women in the state.

Ahmad, who spoke to journalists at the occasion of world AIDS day in Dutse, said though the HIV infections has reduced to 1.05% in the state, the disease is still more prevalent among women particularly rural dwellers.

He said according to the data available to them over 7,000 people living with HIV have registered at nine of the health care centers designated for handling HIV cases. According to him, 4,000 of those affected by the disease are on antiretroviral drugs which are given free to the patients.

Ahmad said over 60% of the HIV positive persons are women which poise more danger for transmitting the disease to babies during pregnancy, delivery and the breastfeeding period if proper medical action not to be taken .

He said the reduction of HIV infection in the state followed the collaborated effort between state government and international donor agencies, media and other NGOs who are working day and night on campaign on how people can protect themselves and their unborn children from contracting the disease.