Swaziland shows signs of turning corner on world’s highest HIV rates

By Jon Herskovitz MBABANE (Reuters) – Swaziland, the country hardest hit by HIV/AIDS, appears to be stemming the pace of new infections thanks to increased funding, more efficient treatment and greater international help, public health workers said. On a global basis, the rate of HIV infection and the number of AIDS-related deaths have been dramatically reduced, thanks to expanding access to treatment, the United Nations said in a report issued on Monday. Swaziland has a high incidence rate with about a quarter of the adult population and 40 percent of mothers infected with the virus. …