A file photo of the Ministry of Health-distributed information card containing World Aids Day health messages, taken on Dec 2. Picture: BT/Yusri Adanan
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
PUTTING the knowledge and information gained from various agencies into practice is the next step in the prevention of HIV/Aids in the country, according to a public health specialist from the Ministry of Health.
Dr Ong Sok King, acting specialist (Public Health) and head of Disease Control at the ministry's Health Department, said that the HIV cases in Brunei were transmitted through sexual activities. According to Dr Ong, awareness was already there among the youth, so actively practising the values and knowledge given to the public is the next step forward.
"The younger generation are the most at risk," said Dr Ong, citing the fact that their behaviour and lifestyle can be influenced easily.
Recent published statistics from the Ministry of Health show that for the last five years, 95 per cent of the cases were transmitted sexually. The largest group of those infected was in the 20-to-29-year-old range.
Dr Ong said that transmission through intravenous drug use is not common in Brunei, and that possibility of transmission from mother to child and contaminated blood products has nearly been eliminated.
"Previously, we have had two cases where a mother living with HIV gave birth to children free from the disease," she said, adding that it was possible with the current technology available. "We also routinely screen all blood products for the virus."
She said that in their efforts to prevent the spread of the disease, imparting HIV life skills-based education to youths is one of the most important measures in the endeavour. "We encourage abstinence or loyalty to one's spouse," Dr Ong said, and reiterated the ABCDs (Abstinence, Be Faithful, Condoms, Don't abuse Drugs) for prevention of HIV/Aids.
She also said that the ministry is actively trying to reduce stigmatisation. Dr Ong believes that there is always going to be some prejudice towards those people living with HIV/Aids, "not just in Brunei, but throughout the world."
"It is important for those people who think they may have been in risky situations to come forward to be tested," she said, adding that with reduced stigmatisation, it would be easier for people to come forward.
The nature of HIV/Aids treatment highlights the necessity of coming forward early. "If detected in the later stages, the treatment has a lot more complications," said Dr Ong.
She also said that some of the people living with HIV were actually victims of circumstances.
"We need to support these people," she said, pointing out that people should have no fear of having coffee or a meal with someone living with HIV.
Dr Ong said that the Ministry of Health offers counselling to people before and after they are tested for HIV.
"We would offer them counselling before they take the test, so that they are prepared for the results," she said.
If they were unfortunate enough to be tested positive for HIV, they would be given further counselling, to let them know what their options are and to provide moral support, she added.
She also believes that there is no reason to be complacent about the situation in Brunei.
"We have done a lot of good work towards prevention, towards awareness," she said. "We can always do a lot more." The Brunei Times
Dr Ong Sok King, acting specialist (Public Health) and head of Disease Control at the ministry's Health Department, said that the HIV cases in Brunei were transmitted through sexual activities. According to Dr Ong, awareness was already there among the youth, so actively practising the values and knowledge given to the public is the next step forward.
"The younger generation are the most at risk," said Dr Ong, citing the fact that their behaviour and lifestyle can be influenced easily.
Recent published statistics from the Ministry of Health show that for the last five years, 95 per cent of the cases were transmitted sexually. The largest group of those infected was in the 20-to-29-year-old range.
Dr Ong said that transmission through intravenous drug use is not common in Brunei, and that possibility of transmission from mother to child and contaminated blood products has nearly been eliminated.
"Previously, we have had two cases where a mother living with HIV gave birth to children free from the disease," she said, adding that it was possible with the current technology available. "We also routinely screen all blood products for the virus."
She said that in their efforts to prevent the spread of the disease, imparting HIV life skills-based education to youths is one of the most important measures in the endeavour. "We encourage abstinence or loyalty to one's spouse," Dr Ong said, and reiterated the ABCDs (Abstinence, Be Faithful, Condoms, Don't abuse Drugs) for prevention of HIV/Aids.
She also said that the ministry is actively trying to reduce stigmatisation. Dr Ong believes that there is always going to be some prejudice towards those people living with HIV/Aids, "not just in Brunei, but throughout the world."
"It is important for those people who think they may have been in risky situations to come forward to be tested," she said, adding that with reduced stigmatisation, it would be easier for people to come forward.
The nature of HIV/Aids treatment highlights the necessity of coming forward early. "If detected in the later stages, the treatment has a lot more complications," said Dr Ong.
She also said that some of the people living with HIV were actually victims of circumstances.
"We need to support these people," she said, pointing out that people should have no fear of having coffee or a meal with someone living with HIV.
Dr Ong said that the Ministry of Health offers counselling to people before and after they are tested for HIV.
"We would offer them counselling before they take the test, so that they are prepared for the results," she said.
If they were unfortunate enough to be tested positive for HIV, they would be given further counselling, to let them know what their options are and to provide moral support, she added.
She also believes that there is no reason to be complacent about the situation in Brunei.
"We have done a lot of good work towards prevention, towards awareness," she said. "We can always do a lot more." The Brunei Times
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