Bandar Seri Begawan - With 56 reported cases of HIV-positive (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) patients in Brunei from 1986 to 2009, as much as 86 per cent of this resulted from sexual activities, said a medical officer from the Ministry of Health's Disease Control Division yesterday.

According to Dr Ahmad Fakhri DP Hj Junaidi. 66 per cent of the total number were contracted through sexual activities by heterosexual couples while the remaining 20 per cent were results of homosexual activities.

Out of the 56 cases, II were reported this year alone and of the 56 cases, 42 of them were males, said Dr Ahmad Fakhri.

"Forty-one of those infected were Malays, H were Chinese and four of other races," he said during various interviews with Radio Televisyen Brunei (RTB) programmes yesterday

This, however, could be attributed to the larger Malay population in Brunei's demographic, he explained.

Dr Ahmad Fakhri used the opportunity to clarify some doubts and misconceptions that the public might have on Aids (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) and HIV. *It may take five to 10 years for one to be diagnosed as having Aids after contracting HIV," explained the doctor.

He also said that there is currently no cure for HIV, however, antiretrovirals can slow down, control and help to lessen the damage of the immune system. 'In earlier years, HIV-positive patients usually did not live for long, but with the inttoduction of these (antiretrovirals) a HIV-positive individual can live normally as long as they get diagnosed early and rake in the medication recommended by their doctors for the rest of their life," he said.

"In relation to the theme of this year's World Aids Day of 'Universal Access and Human Rights', the government though the Ministry of Health can provide free treatment (of HIV) for the community of Brunei," added Dr Ahmad Fakhri.

The medical officer then informed the public on the preventive methods of protecting oneself from HIV infection and Aids.

The first of these is abstinence, to keep oneself from pre-marital sex or to be faithful to only one partner after marriage. It is also important to practise safe sex by means of a condom and to avoid drug use, particularly the sharing of needles, said the medical officer.

Most important would be education to raise awareness on HIV/ Aids and the instilling of good family values, he said.

World Aids Day, marked annually on December 1, is organised to raise awareness on HIV/Aids.

The Health Promotion Centre at Commonwealth Drive, Berakas, will be holding a month-long Aids and Sexually-Transmitted Diseases (STDs) awareness programme this month.  -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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