The rate of HIV infection among Malaysian teenagers has surged, leading experts to recommend that HIV testing begin at age 16.
[ Back to News Page ] Dated: 17-Oct-2024
Dr. Dinesh Mahalingam: Government Should Lower Minimum Age for HIV Testing to 16
Dr. Dinesh Mahalingam, Vice-Chairman of the Malaysian AIDS Council, has stated that to address the rising HIV infection rates, the government should lower the minimum age for HIV testing without parental consent from 18 to 16. Dr. Mahalingam believes this change will facilitate early detection and treatment of HIV, improve health outcomes, and tackle the high rate of HIV infections among teenagers. Reducing the minimum age for consent will enable healthcare professionals to educate young people about safe sex practices, aligning with the global trend advocating for lower testing ages.
Rising HIV Rates Among University Students
Last week, Malaysia's Minister of Higher Education, Zambry Abdul Kadir, reported that, according to cases reported to the Ministry of Health, the HIV infection rate among university students aged 18 to 25 increased by 24% in 2023. In 2020, there were 214 reported cases of HIV infection among students in public or private higher education institutions. This number decreased to 186 in 2021 but increased again to 221 and 224 in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Challenges and Stigma in HIV Treatment
Among the 70,000 people living with HIV in Malaysia, approximately 32% have not sought treatment, primarily due to the stigma associated with HIV. The impact of this stigma is even more severe for young people who may hesitate to seek HIV services. Professor Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, a public health expert from the National University of Malaysia, noted that identifying high-risk students is challenging because many may refuse testing due to prejudice against HIV.
Professor Puteh emphasized the need for voluntary testing and proactive assistance, ensuring the protection of students' privacy regardless of their HIV screening results. "These efforts require collaboration across multiple sectors," Professor Puteh said. "The growing curiosity about sex among students and involvement in high-risk sexual behavior are major factors contributing to the increase in HIV infections among university students."
Targeted Interventions and Awareness
Professor Puteh stressed the importance of targeted interventions and awareness campaigns for young people and high-risk groups. "We need to educate high-risk populations about how their behaviors can impact their future, well-being, and likelihood of contracting HIV. Early education and providing Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for students or individuals at high risk of HIV infection are essential."
