The worsening trend is illustrated by the prevalence of infection among teenage mothers, said Dr Somyos Charoensak, a deputy permanent secretary-general of the ministry.

HIV infection in pregnant women aged between 15 and 19 last year was zero, but this year the rate of new infection in this group was reported at 0.44 per cent.

The infection rate of this group was about half the overall infection rate of pregnant women of all ages, which was on the downward trend.

The prevalence of infection in young men conscripted into the army showed a similar worrying trend. The infection rate of new soldiers rose from 0.4 per cent in 2005 to 0.5 per cent this year. The estimate of new infections in young people aged between 15 and 24 was about 15,000 per year, accounting for 40 per cent of the total number of new infections, Somyos said.

The main factor attributed to the rise in the young group was unsafe sex, said Dr Charnchai Khumphong, deputy director-general of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Health Depart-ment. Its latest survey showed condom use in high schools and vocational students was only 40 per cent, he said.

In response to the infection trend in youngsters, the ministry plans to step up safe-sex campaigns targeting teenagers as well as other activities related to the HIV/Aids education programme, which will be integrated into year-round activities.

Arthit Khwankhom

The Nation