HIV/AIDS Epidemic Spreading Within Honduran Ethnic Group Garifuna

HIV/AIDS is spreading among people in Honduras, particularly within the ethnic group Garifuna, Reuters reports. About 1.5% of the seven million people in Honduras are living with HIV/AIDS, according to the United Nations. Among the country's Garifuna population, which has African origins and its own language, about 8.4% of adults are HIV-positive, the United Nations reports. A Honduran government study found that HIV prevalence is as high as 20% among adults in some villages. "AIDS is spreading alarmingly through our people," Mirian Miranda -- president of the Fraternal Organization of Honduran Blacks, which represents the Garifuna -- said. Honduras accounts for about 60% of the HIV cases in Central America. Scientists say it is unclear why HIV is so prevalent among the Garifuna people in Honduras. About 100,000 Garifuna live in Honduras, or about one-third of the group's Central American population (Palencia, Reuters, 4/12).