AIDS awareness web resource launched in Cherepovets

As part of the Big World federal project, the local authorities in Cherepovets, Volgograd oblast, have established an information center that should help prevent HIV infection. The center will assist young people who want to learn about ways to avoid HIV, the authorities believe. Counseling will be available both via telephone and through specialized websites. It is believed, however, that apart from having the potential to raise HIV awareness the Internet also raises the risk of infection. The website Gayrussia.ru cites AIDS Foundation data which imply that the recent increase in the spread of HIV infection may be due to the widespread practice of using online dating services, particularly for casual sex.