Majority of Rwandans Consider Either Poverty or HIV/AIDS to Be Country's Main Problem, Survey Says

The majority of Rwandans consider either HIV/AIDS or poverty to be the main problem facing the country, according to a national survey commissioned by Rwanda's New Times, the New Times reports. The survey of 200 Rwandans in five provinces, conducted from July 19 to 30, found that 45% of respondents think poverty is the country's largest problem and 20% think HIV/AIDS is the second-largest problem in the country. Participants said poverty and HIV/AIDS hinder the country's development and deserve more government attention. Respondents also cited reconciliation, overpopulation, illiteracy, land scarcity and a lack of adequate water supplies as major problems facing the country. About 60% of Rwandans live below the poverty line, according to official figures (New Times, 8/7). Rwanda has reduced its HIV prevalence from 13% to between 4% and 7% because of intensive prevention efforts, according to Rwandan first lady Jeannette Kagame (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 5/24).

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