Bolder measures needed to curb HIV transmission among IPT students
According to reports quoting the council's honorary secretary Dr Zaiton Yahya, most new infections involve school leavers and students from institutions of higher learning (IPT). According to Dr Mohammad Mujaheed Hassan, a lecturer at the Department of Social Science and Development, Faculty of Human Ecology at Universiti Putra Malaysia, the current strategies are no longer relevant to today's youth. - 123RF photo (Photo for illustration purpose only)
Two days ago, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni disclosed that 222 cases of IPT students infected with HIV were reported last year. This figure is part of the total 1,091 HIV cases involving IPT students reported between 2021 and 2024.
These alarming statistics should serve as a wake-up call for the authorities to urgently investigate why a growing number of educated young people are being infected with HIV. Are the current measures - leftover from the time when HIV infections were mainly due to drug needle sharing - still relevant?
AN OUTDATED APPROACH
According to Dr Mohammad Mujaheed Hassan, a lecturer at the Department of Social Science and Development, Faculty of Human Ecology at Universiti Putra Malaysia, the current strategies are no longer relevant to today's youth.
He said current HIV awareness programmes still rely on conventional methods such as public lectures, leaflet distribution and exhibitions, which are less engaging to students.
"The failure to tailor approaches to the communication style of younger generations has led to poor participation in these programmes. Moreover, most programmes tend to attract those at lower risk of HIV infection, that is, those who are not sexually active or not exposed to risky behaviours,' he told Bernama.
The expert explained that such methods alienate the actual target group, namely students who fall into high-risk categories, such as those who are sexually active, use dating apps or engage in same-sex relationships as they would feel afraid or embarrassed to participate in such programmes.
"They are worried about being judged or recognised by friends or lecturers, so they choose to avoid any HIV-related programmes. As a result, the group most in need of information and support ends up not taking part in the programmes concerned,' he added.
Citing findings from a study he carried out recently, Mohammad Mujaheed also said many students were unaware of HIV-related programmes in their universities, showing that HIV prevention messages are not effectively reaching the intended audience.
"A large number of male and female students said they had never received direct information from the university and only learned about HIV through social media or stories shared by friends and acquaintances,' he said, adding the study showed students were more drawn to interactive content such as short videos, social media posts or experiential activities.
The study, titled 'The Rise of HIV Cases in Higher Education Institutions: Exploring Risk Behaviours, Effectiveness of Prevention Programmes and Strategies for the Health and Well-Being of Young Generations', was conducted in January and involved 500 respondents from institutions of higher learning in the Klang Valley, Selangor and Putrajaya.
LIFESTYLE
Discussing the causes of HIV infection, Dr Mohammad Mujaheed pointed to liberal lifestyles, social pressure and the normalisation of premarital sex, including same-sex relations, without protection as major contributing factors.
According to findings from his study, some respondents admitted to becoming sexually active after completing their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia exam, driven by curiosity and a lack of formal education on sexual health.
He said some also used social applications such as Grindr, Hornet and Tinder to find partners, which could have led to casual sexual encounters without adequate protection.
"Some engaged in oral or anal sex at a young age and only became aware of HIV risks after being diagnosed. They were also more exposed to pornography and unfiltered sexual content, especially on social media,' he said.
Shockingly, some students admitted to intentionally transmitting HIV to others as an act of revenge or what is referred to as "revenge transmission'.
In such cases, he said, the students knowingly withheld their HIV-positive status from their partners and continued engaging in unprotected casual sex.
"They admitted to intentionally spreading the virus, saying they didn't want to bear the burden alone. They were consumed by anger, betrayal and disappointment and felt others should 'feel the same pain',' he said, stressing that this issue demands serious attention from the authorities.
He said the study found most infections resulted from casual sex, with many students engaging in unprotected sex with different partners.
"Factors such as trust in their partners, lack of knowledge or emotional and peer pressure led them to ignore protective measures,' he said.
He also noted that same-sex relationships among male students (MSM - men who have sex with men) were identified as one of the risky behaviours.
NEED SHIFT IN APPROACH
Recommending that prevention efforts be improved by adopting more targeted, youth-friendly and stigma-free strategies to reach those most at risk, Mohammad Mujaheed said authorities must move away from generic, moralistic and untargeted prevention messages.
"There is now an urgent need for bolder and more realistic approaches to address HIV transmission among IPT students, similar to how harm reduction strategies were successfully used in the past to curb the spread of HIV among injecting drug users.
"In the past, sharing of needles was the main contributor to new HIV cases in Malaysia. However, with interventions such as clean needle distribution, targeted health education for drug users, and collaboration with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and health agencies, HIV infections through needle-sharing dropped significantly,' he said.
While the approach was initially considered a "sensitive' matter, its success in reducing infection rates proved that realistic and non-punitive interventions are more effective in the context of prevention.
Therefore, he said, similar methods should be considered in tackling sexual transmission of HIV among IPT students. His suggestions include the implementation of comprehensive, non-judgmental sexual education; providing access to condoms and counselling; and conducting voluntary, confidential HIV testing on campus.
"Just as needle distribution helped reduce injection-related HIV infections, condom distribution and inclusive sex education have the potential to reduce infections caused by unsafe sex,' he said.
These bold strategies, he stressed, should not be seen as promoting risky behaviour but rather as pragmatic, data-based steps grounded in real-world experience to save lives and build a culture of responsible sexual health among youth.
He added that the success in reducing HIV transmission among injecting drug users should serve as a model for reforming HIV prevention strategies in universities.
CHALLENGES
Acknowledging that it is not easy for a young person to accept the reality of living with HIV for life, counsellor Dr Syed Mohamad Syed Abdullah said stigma and discrimination remain key barriers to implementing intervention programmes on campus.
"As long as people lack accurate information and understanding about HIV and AIDS, stigma and discrimination will persist. On top of that, lack of funding and institutional and administrative support within higher learning institutions also contribute to the problem.
"Cultural and religious sensitivities also limit open discussion around sex, condoms, HIV and AIDS. Very few people are willing to talk about these topics openly,' the senior lecturer in Guidance and Counselling at the School of Educational Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, told Bernama.
He also observed that sexual education at universities is still inadequate as there is no dedicated subject on the topic in the higher education curriculum.
"Most students are only exposed to sexual education through seminars, workshops, community activities or indirectly,' he said.
As a counsellor, he believes that guidance and counselling approaches can help universities address the issue of HIV among students.
Campus health clinics can also offer voluntary and confidential advice and counselling services on HIV, in collaboration with NGOs that play a role in HIV/AIDS prevention in Malaysia.
"Emphasise confidentiality so more students will come forward for testing. From the data collected, we can develop action plans to control the spread of HIV among IPT students,' he added, noting that peer counselling programmes also have the potential to help address this concern. - BERNAMA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
12 hours ago
- The Star
HIV surge in the Philippines amid poor sex education, policy gaps
MANILA: Two red lines were all it took to confirm what 26-year-old Luke Galade (not his real name) had already prepared himself for. There were no tears, no shock, just quiet acceptance for the freelance writer and former teacher when he tested positive for HIV in March 2024. The signs were there: a persistent fever, sudden hair loss, shortness of breath and rashes on his palms. Deep down, Galade suspected he had contracted the virus from his former boyfriend, whom he left three months earlier after discovering he had been the third party in a relationship. 'I immediately accepted my fate,' Galade told The Straits Times. 'Over time, I felt anger towards my ex, but I didn't reach out. Then came regret, because I've always dreamt of working abroad. But there are countries that don't allow people like me, who live with HIV, to enter their territories.' Galade is part of a troubling trend in the Philippines, where new HIV infections, especially among youth, are rising at a pace unmatched in the Asia-Pacific, according to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids (Unaids). Data showed that new infections in the region have declined by 13 per cent since 2010, but the Philippines' 543 per cent surge in new cases stands out among countries like Bangladesh (20 per cent) and Papua New Guinea (104 per cent) where HIV cases continue to rise sharply. As at March 2025, over 139,610 Filipinos are living with HIV, and the government estimates this number will rise to 252,000 by year end. Experts say the surge is driven by a mix of factors such as poor sex education, unprotected sex among those who meet through dating apps, persistent stigma and cultural shame. The country's conservative, predominantly Christian culture has also made open discussions about sex and HIV difficult, even within families. The Department of Health (DOH) now records 57 new HIV cases daily, when the country recorded just six new infections a day in 2010. Most of the new cases are still tallied among males having sex with males, similar to previous years. DOH estimates there are about 100,550 unreported people living with HIV (PLHIV). 'What bothers me is the shift in age group. A decade ago, most new cases were aged 25 to 34. Now, almost 50 per cent are aged 15 to 24. That to me is the alarming part,' said Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa. The youngest diagnosed this year was a 12-year-old child in the island province of Palawan, which Dr Herbosa believes was a case of sexual abuse. He said the country's growing HIV incidence among minors may be linked to grooming and exploitation, including by foreign sex offenders targeting impoverished areas. He said many young Filipinos now have wider access to pornography and engage in sex with multiple partners, yet remain unaware of how sexually transmitted diseases like HIV are transmitted. He added that most were born after the height of the Aids crisis in the 1980s and lack a full understanding of the virus' dangers. 'There are spas that operate like brothels. There is anonymous, unprotected sex behaviour, and I discovered there are also orgies happening where people use drugs. If you put that all together with the lack of sex education and the internet, pornography, it all adds up,' said Dr Herbosa. To respond more aggressively, the DOH in June recommended that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr declare HIV a national public health emergency. Such a move would allow the government to bypass bureaucratic delays, unlock emergency funds more quickly, and coordinate HIV-related efforts across multiple agencies. Marcos has yet to respond. 'We need a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, just like how we fought Covid-19,' said Dr Herbosa. Policy blind spots The Philippines in 2018 passed the HIV and Aids Policy Act, hailed as a milestone for enshrining access to testing and treatment as a human right. It also lowered the age of consent for HIV testing from 18 to 15, allowing adolescents to get tested without parental permission. The government has since expanded HIV services nationwide. Dozens of state-run social hygiene clinics now offer free testing, anti-retroviral treatment, counselling and education. The country also has a Reproductive Health Law mandating universal access to contraceptives at these clinics. A handful of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) like the LoveYourself group provide similar services, including free HIV self-test kits. Some of these NGOs, however, are still recovering from funding disruptions caused by US President Donald Trump's foreign aid freeze in early 2025. The move abruptly halted millions of dollars in American support for global health programmes, disrupting HIV prevention and outreach in countries like the Philippines that rely heavily on foreign assistance. But even when services are available, barriers remain. Minors who test positive can get treatment for free if they are able to provide a parent's health insurance details, since HIV/Aids treatment is covered by the government. 'They don't want their parents to find out, so they refuse treatment,' Dr Herbosa said. 'And then they come back to us three years later with advanced HIV or full-blown Aids.' Dr Herbosa said it is best that PLHIV take their anti-retroviral therapy medication as early as possible, as it suppresses the virus, reduces risk of transmission and allows those diagnosed to live long, healthy lives. The country's testing rates remain low. According to DOH data, only 59 per cent of key populations, including men who have sex with men, are getting tested. Of those who test positive, only 44 per cent are receiving treatment. Dr Herbosa also noted that many patients are being diagnosed late. Their CD4 counts, which measure immune system strength, are already low by the time they get tested, indicating they have been infected for months. He urged Filipinos to consider regular testing and to take advantage of free self-test kits and PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, a medicine for HIV-negative individuals that reduces the risk of getting the disease. 'Abstinence if you're young. If you don't want abstinence, at least practise protection or know the status of the person you're going to have sex with. Use modern protection methods like PrEP,' he advised. Stigma and sex education gaps Many Filipinos are still afraid of being seen in state-run social hygiene clinics, while others do not know enough about HIV or how it spreads, said gender and sexual health physician Deano Reyes. It is a paradox in the Philippines, where LGBTQIA+ celebrities are widely accepted in mainstream media, yet laws protecting their rights have yet to be passed by Congress. 'It's a classic Filipino thinking that, 'Gayness is something I tolerate. But if someone in my family is gay or is HIV-infected, it's an entirely different story.' So it's nuanced. It's the cultural and religious beliefs that put a stigma on HIV here,' he said. Sex education is still widely seen as taboo, even though the law has required it in public schools since 2017. Advocates say implementation has been patchy at best, with many schools skipping lessons due to pressure from religious groups which argue it would promote pre-marital sex among youth. A Bill filed earlier this year seeking to require private schools – many run by the Catholic Church – to institutionalise sex education also sparked controversy and was ultimately shelved. Dr Reyes said these policy gaps have left young Filipinos ashamed and ill-equipped to make informed decisions about sex and relationships. 'Studies show that a comprehensive sex education reduces HIV numbers. It allows them to understand when they're being groomed or when they're being abused. Overall, it makes them want to have less sex, which is counter to the claim of conservative groups,' he said. Stigma also persists among those already diagnosed. Dr Reyes said some patients ask for their HIV medicine to be repackaged in vitamin bottles, so their families won't ask questions. It is something Galade has experienced at first hand. He considers himself lucky that his relatives accepted his diagnosis, but he still had to explain how HIV is and is not transmitted. 'Some of their actions are bordering on ignorance. They still don't like it if I grab food straight from the serving bowl,' he said. 'They prefer that I have my own utensils and don't share. But I understand, because acceptance is step by step here.' Based on his latest blood test in January 2025, Galade's HIV viral load is now undetectable, which means he can no longer transmit the virus through sex. Still, he said dating remains difficult. Conversations often fizzle out once he discloses his status. 'So the stigma is still there,' he said. Hope on the horizon Despite these setbacks, advocates are pushing forward. Filipino public figures such as Miss Universe winners Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray continue to promote HIV awareness. In 2024, drag queen Myx Chanel came out as a PLHIV on the hit reality TV show Drag Race Philippines, saying: 'I want to show the world how strong and beautiful people living with HIV can be.' Meanwhile, the DOH is working with the education department to launch a peer-to-peer counselling programme and update sex education materials in schools. It is also seeking to improve condom accessibility and scale up PrEP distribution. Dr Herbosa said government agencies are also exploring ways to strengthen family dynamics and instil core health values among Filipino youth, so they can make responsible choices when it comes to relationships and sex. For Galade, being open about his condition is a form of self-acceptance and hope that Filipinos will become more understanding and be proactive in responding to the HIV crisis. 'You should not judge people just because of their status,' he said. 'Jesus told us to love our neighbour without condition, so why shouldn't you?' - The Straits Times/ANN
The Star
17 hours ago
- The Star
More younger workers falling ill
PERKESO flags rise in NCD-related health claims among those in their 30s PETALING JAYA: A growing number of younger workers have sought social security support as their livelihoods are significantly impacted by non-communicable diseases (NCDs), says Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed ( pic ). 'The average age of workers affected by NCDs is getting younger. 'The number of workers in their 30s requesting benefits has surged over the past decade – from 260 individuals in 2014 to 537 in 2024 – marking a 107% increase. 'A similar pattern is also seen in debilitating NCDs such as stroke, diabetes and heart diseases,' he told Sunday Star. He warned that the percentage of employees with NCDs will continue to rise if significant lifestyle changes do not occur among younger workers. 'Each year, around 230,000 employees become eligible for PERKESO's Health Screening Programme (HSP) as they turn 40. Of these, about 18% take the opportunity to get their health screened. 'The findings are alarming: A large percentage – 60% – were found to be overweight or obese during the health check-ups; 60% had hypercholesterolaemia; 19% were diabetic; and another 19% were hypertensive. 'A smaller but significant percentage – 3% – were found to have chronic kidney disease, a sequela of NCDs,' he said. He also noted that of the more than 40,000 new invalidity applications PERKESO receives every year – from workers claiming to be totally incapacitated – nearly half are due to NCD complications. 'Sadly, the proportion of applicants under the age of 50 is also increasing. Much can be said from the health morbidity data about older adults who are now suffering from the effects of lifestyle diseases,' he added. Dr Mohammed Azman said the poor health status of workers should serve as a warning that immediate action must be taken to promote healthier lifestyles among the population. He called on the government, private sector and civil society to play a role in promoting a way of life that supports health, safety and well-being. Higher education institutions should also foster healthy lifestyles that can be adopted by students, who will make up the future workforce, he said. Dr Mohammed Azman revealed that plans are in motion to offer a broader health screening programme to enable the detection of more conditions. 'The new screening programme, which will be part of PERKESO's primary care approach, will be introduced in batches later this year,' he said. He said PERKESO has included younger workers aged 18 and above in general screenings conducted during its field campaigns. 'The HSP is not static as it was when first introduced a decade ago. 'PERKESO recently enhanced the HSP as part of the Belanjawan Madani initiatives, adding more tests, including cancer screenings. This led to a nearly five-fold increase in uptake within the year. 'Presently, the HSP includes a specific test to detect diabetes and has expanded to incorporate niche screenings such as for the human papillomavirus (HPV),' he said. Malaysian Employers Federation president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said a future-ready workforce should be skilled, as well as physically, mentally and socially resilient. 'Poor health among graduates will eventually translate into lower productivity, higher medical costs and increased absenteeism. 'Health promotion should be integrated into national employability and workforce development strategies,' he said.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
RM64.2 billion lost to preventable diseases, experts urge harm reduction policy
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia loses an estimated RM64.2 billion each year due to preventable diseases such as diabetes, heart conditions and HIV, according to economist and Fellow at the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS), Dr. Muhammed Abdul Khalid. He said these losses stem not only from treatment costs, but also from reduced productivity, absenteeism, and premature death. 'When we invest in prevention, including harm reduction, we're not only saving lives but also protecting the long-term health of the national economy,' Khalid said. He made the remarks during a media roundtable on July 1, where public health experts, academics and religious scholars called for greater policy backing for harm reduction strategies. Participants pointed to Malaysia's 70% drop in HIV infections among people who inject drugs since 2005 as evidence that the country's existing harm reduction programmes are effective and worth expanding. Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said practical measures that reduce health risks, such as offering safer alternatives to smoking, are more realistic for the public than punitive approaches. 'By encouraging approaches that reduce sugar consumption or introducing safer alternatives to smoking habits, we are providing more gradual, realistic solutions for the people. 'Every ringgit spent on prevention saves more in treatment costs down the line.' President of the Harm Reduction Advocacy Network (HaRAN), Dr. Anita Suleiman, warned against overly punitive or moralistic narratives. 'This isn't about endorsing behaviour, it's about saving lives. Whether through clean needle programmes, methadone therapy or other evidence-based methods, the foundation is science, backed by social and religious norms.' She added that such interventions aim to protect, not encourage, and reduce stigma by connecting individuals to care. Dr. Anita also highlighted the media's role, stating, 'With evidence-based and empathetic reporting, the media can help the public understand that this is a public health strategy rooted in compassion.' Federal Territories Mufti Tuan Ahmad Fauwaz Fadzil said harm reduction aligns with Islamic principles, particularly ḥifẓ al-nafs (preservation of life) and raf' al-ḥaraj (alleviation of hardship). He said it reflects karāmat al-insān, the inherent dignity of every individual, and should be implemented with wisdom and empathy. The session ended with a joint call to institutionalise harm reduction as a national strategy grounded in public health, economic sustainability, and universal human values.
