ID :
29100
Sat, 11/08/2008 - 15:09
Auther :

STIGMA, DISCRIMINATION HAMPER FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8 (Bernama) -- A Malaysian Aids Council (MAC) survey has revealed that close to 68 per cent of Malaysians would be ashamed if they were infected with HIV.

Another 48 per cent said they would be ashamed if someone in their family
had HIV/Aids.

In a statement Friday, MAC president Professor Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman said
the survey involved 1,023 respondents aged between 15 and 64 in Kuala Lumpur,
Petaling Jaya and Johor Bharu last May.

She said it reflected Malaysian attitudes and level of awareness or
education towards the issue of stigma and discrimination faced by people
infected with HIV.

According to the survey, Malaysians were evenly split when deciding whether
or not to hire or work with someone who is HIV positive.

The survey found that primary school students (49 per cent) were the least
aware of how HIV was transmitted as compared with secondary school students (83
per cent) and university educated respondents (94 per cent).

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