The HIV Aids prevalence among South Sudan army members is higher than the national average.
A report financed by the US Department of Defense disclosed that while HIV 3.1 per cent of South Sudan’s population has contracted AIDS, 4.4 percent of SPLA personnel are HIV positive, Africa Review reported.
The figures provided food for thought for South Sudan’s celebration of World Aids Day.
According to a behavior survey conducted with the support of the US department, the high infection rate in the army was the result of unfaithful soldiers engaging in unprotected sex.
The research said that 56 per cent of those infected in the army did not use condoms and knew nothing about the virus.
Another 44 per cent said they contracted the virus under the influence of alcohol.
The research was conducted over a period of three months.
SPLA Chief of General Staff, James Hoth Mai, told hundreds who gathered to mark the day at Dr John Garang Mausoleum yesterday that these findings indicate that South Sudan still faces enormous challenges as a country in its efforts to address the HIV pandemic.