Promiscuous sex new cause of HIV/AIDS transmission in the country

BALIK PULAU: A total of 108,519 cases of HIV and AIDS have been recorded in the country from 1986 until last year, with Selangor comprising 26% of them.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said promiscuous sex, including those involving people of the same gender, had been identified as the cause of new HIV and AIDS cases in the country.
"Before, the majority of AIDS cases were due to sharing of needles. We conducted programmes to give out free needles to those at risk via various means, including through non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Today, it is different. Many new HIV and AIDS cases are due to promiscuous sex," he said during a press conference after the launch of the Penang state-level 2017 World AIDS Day event here, today.
Dr Hilmi said of the cumulative total, 62.68% of cases were attributed to drug users who shared needles, while 27.96% were from sexual intercourse and the rest from mother to child transmissions.
According to him, men accounted for 88% of all cases in the country, while women comprised 11%, and children, one percent.
"This shows that HIV and AIDS are still a threat to the residents in the country. In terms of HIV transmission, sex and drug addiction are the major causes, which means both these social problems have to be dealt with," he said.
However, Dr Hilmi said the rate of HIV and AIDS infection in the country showed a decline last year with 10.5 cases per 100,000 of the population, below the set target of 11 cases. An estimated 1,000 people die from HIV and AIDS each year.
Meanwhile, commenting on the flood situation in Penang, Dr Hilmi said the Penang Health Department had yet to receive any reports of waterborne diseases spreading in the state.
"We would like to urge all residents to refer to set safety guidelines before, during and post-flood situations. We advise them to drink boiled water and avoid being exposed to the flood water for fear of infection," he added. – Bernama