KUALA LUMPUR: More than 60% of HIV cases were due to irregular use of condoms among high-risk groups last year, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
The Health Minister said the high rate of infections detected among homosexual and bisexual individuals is due to inconsistent condom use during sexual activities.
"In 2024, a total of 2,037 or 64% out of the 3,185 reported HIV infections were transmitted through homosexual and bisexual relations.
"One of the main factor contributing to the increase in HIV transmission through sexual contact is the irregular use of condoms, especially among high-risk groups," he said in a written reply to a question by Datuk Ahmad Saad Yahaya (PN-Pokok Sena) in Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Feb 20).
He noted that the rise in the use of drugs and illicit substances among some youth poses a challenge as this leads to risky sexual behaviours.
"It leads to behaviour such as not using condoms or engaging in multiple sexual partnerships while under the influence of drugs," he added.
He said that ongoing measures including awareness programmes are being taken to curb HIV infections, particularly among high-risk groups.
Among them are regular HIV screening and access to antiretroviral (ARV) treatment to prevent further transmission, he added.
He said that those living with HIV or at risk of infection should seek preventive treatment, such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).
To a question from Nurul Amin Hamid (PN-Padang Terap), Dzulkefly said new HIV infections are on the rise in recent years.
"Overall, there was a reduction of up to 50% between 2000 and 2009.
"However, beginning 2010 and to date, the reduction in new HIV cases has slowed to only 25.4%," he said.
Apart from providing access to treatment among youth in the high risk group, Dzulkefly said that the ministry has also launched a self-test guide and TestNow website in 2023.
The TestNow website provides information on HIV, risk evaluation and access to self-test kits.
The TestNow website has since recorded more than 100,000 hits with an average of 382 visitors daily.
