KOTA KINABALU: Sixty per cent of HIV cases in Sabah are among the 19 to 35 age group, said Dr Zaiton Yahaya from the Sandakan AIDS Support Group Association (SAGA).
Zaiton added the number comprised young adults who just started working and housewives.
“Two thirds of women, or around 60 per cent of housewives, get HIV from their husbands,” she pointed out.
Zaiton said there were a total of 971 HIV cases reported in Sabah, with Kota Kinabalu on the top of the list, followed by Tawau and Sandakan.
She added that the number of cases could be under reported, and also because some sex workers or workers with high risk behaviours chose to work in Peninsular Malaysia.
“While many HIV cases were transmitted through needle sharing in the peninsula, about 85 per cent of HIV cases were caused by sexual transmission in Sabah.”
Zaiton stressed that it was important for young people to ‘think safe, act safe’.
“It is very difficult for young people who have their own set of mind, but if you want to be adventurous, it’s OK, but act safe.”
SAGA is doing its role to prevent the spread of HIV, which includes promoting abstinence among teenagers, and distributing condoms at karaoke or among sex workers.
Meanwhile, Malaysian AIDS Foundation chairman Professor Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman said more than 87,000 HIV cases were reported in Malaysia since 1986.
Adeeba said although the figure in Sabah was not as high as other states like Kelantan, Johor and Selongor, the number is on the rise.
According to statistics from the Malaysian AIDS Council, there are a total of 971 HIV and 338 AIDS cases reported in Sabah from 1986 to 2009.
This includes 88 HIV cases, 34 AIDS cases and 11 deaths last year.
Adeeba pointed out that the HIV transmission from mother to child could be greatly reduced if the pregnant mother underwent HIV test.
If the mother is found to be HIV positive, she will be treated with anti-HIV medication.
The mother should also opt for Cesarean section if possible, and avoid breastfeeding her child.
“By doing so, the risk of baby getting HIV is reduced from one in every three babies to less than one per cent.”
She said the negative label of HIV patients and the lack of awareness were the reasons patients did not receive the appropriate treatment.
“Some people also think they are at risk of HIV.
“If you start treatment early, you can live a normal life, not die of HIV or AIDS,” Adeeba stressed.