HIV testing clinics have opened in four London churches in a bid to combat the high rate of infection among African communities.

The new clinics, in Southwark, New Cross, Wood Green and Dagenham, have been opened by the ActionPlus Foundation ahead of the UK’s National HIV Testing Week.

Latest Health Protection Agency figures show 2.8 in every 1,000 people aged 15 to 59 in the UK have HIV.

The prevalence rate among black African heterosexuals is 56 per 1,000.

ActionPlus says many African people who have HIV are afraid to be tested or admit to infection, because of social stigma. ActionPlus has already launched HIV testing programmes in public places across Ghana, including churches, schools and nail bars.

The clinics have been opened at Mountain Movers Chapel International, in Southwark; Living Flames Baptist Church, in New Cross; Dominion Centre, in Wood Green, and The Church of Pentecost UK, in Dagenham.

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