S/Phikwes HIV/AIDS infection rate heightens

Currently the infection rate stands at 26.5 percent. Over the years the escalation of the pandemic has remained a puzzle to researchers and the leadership of the town and the Bobirwa region. According to the Botswana HIV/AIDS Impact Survey (BIAS III) that came out in 2008, Selebi-Phikwe had a prevalence rate of 23 percent.

Morake said as a way of encouraging men to test for HIV, Tebelopele introduced a soccer tournament dubbed Phikwe Inter-Wholesale Soccer Tournament in 2008.  He said the aim of the soccer competition is to encourage people especially men working at the Selebi-Phikwe industrial site to test for HIV. He explained that men are their second target after couples.