CALCULATE HIV INFECTION RATE

In recent months, we have been advised through the media that the

rate of infection has dropped in Papua New Guinea. We wondered

how this might be calculated.

Advice has come of a special formula has been developed by Australian

advisors. It is very confidential and provides problems if you should pass

on the secret formula.

Think of a number. Multiply the number by 100 and square the resultant

number. Then multiply the number by the number of sexually active people

in the country including the number of children given condoms and divide

by the number of condoms distributed in the survey period.

Take a square root of the infection figures for the period under survey and

divide by the numbers of sexually active people. After that divide the result

by the first number you thought of.

In the last survey period, quotient was 16.3. That is higher than the number

for this assessment period of 15.2. So there has been a drop in infections.

Of course, this does not include the number of people who do not realize
they are infected and those who know they are infected but refuse to go for
testing. They may bump the figure up to show that the infection rate is rising.
It always comes out right when the accountant is also the auditor.

Of course this report has been prepared with a serious intent but intended
to invoke a little levity, not to mention laughter. It is a serious joke.