Ni wiki ya Sauti za Busara 09.02 - 13.02.2011

Wote Mnakaribishwa

Watanzania Wajitolea Kutahiriwa...

The Tanzanian government has embarked on a large-scale voluntary male circumcision programme aimed at reducing the HIV risk of men and boys in areas of the country with low levels of male circumcision.

"We have already completed a pilot project and we are now scaling up male circumcision," said Bennet Fimbo, HIV/AIDS adviser to the Tanzania Ministry of Health. "The target group in the campaign will be men and boys aged 10-34."

The programme aims to reach 2.8 million men and boys within the next five years.

Three randomized controlled trials in Kenya, South Africa and Uganda provided evidence that male circumcision can reduce a man's risk of becoming infected with HIV through heterosexual intercourse by as much as 60 percent. The UN World Health Organization recommends male circumcision as one of the tools for HIV prevention, alongside counselling and testing, promotion of safer sex, treatment of sexually transmitted infections and condom use.

An estimated 70 percent of Tanzanian men are circumcised, according to government surveys, but prevalence varies from region to region.

"In some districts up to 80 percent of men, especially in the western parts of the country, are not circumcised," Fimbo said. "In places like Zanzibar, Pemba and coastal areas, where the population is predominantly Muslim, the circumcision rate is almost 99 percent."

He noted that HIV prevalence tended to be lower in areas of the country where male circumcision was common. "In Zanzibar and Pemba, the prevalence is less than 1 percent, while around Lake Victoria, Mbeya and Iringa regions, circumcision is low and HIV prevalence is 14-20 percent."

The programme will focus on seven regions in western Tanzania where levels of male circumcision are particularly low: Iringa, Kagera, Mar, Mwanza, Rukwa, Shinyanga, Tabora, Rukwa.

The programme - supported by the USA - will provide the service free of charge; male circumcision usually costs US$10-17.

AN

Boris Johnson Meya wa London Mashakani Zenj...

Boris Johnson was left humiliated after he had to be rescued while swimming in the sea at a luxury resort.

The gaffe-prone Tory was taking a morning dip with wife Marina when he was swept away by powerful currents off a private island near Tanzania.

Worried staff were so concerned they sent out a boat to fetch him.
One worker, who asked not to be named, revealed: “They didn’t realise how strong the current was. They went out a bit too far and he was getting carried away so we had to launch a motor boat to get them.”

Mayor of London Boris went to the island retreat for the family holiday at the Lazy Lagoon in the Zanzibar channel last year. He was asked if he needed TV news but apparently told staff: “Just tell me if they try to blow up the Tubes again.”
When he made it ashore after being rescued, he tried to laugh off the drama, declaring: “That’s one for the memoirs.”

The mayor, 46, likes to get around by bike but a friend admitted: “He’s not the strongest swimmer.”
Boris got into trouble in the water a couple of years ago when he stumbled into a river in Lewisham, South East London, during a photo call.


Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/2011/02/05/boris-johnson-rescued-by-boat-after-being-swept-away-as-he-swam-from-luxury-private-african-island-115875-22899730/#ixzz1DM7iDUEv
Go Camping for 95p! Vouchers collectable in the Daily and Sunday Mirror until 11th August . Click here for more information

Msimu wa embe Pemba