In an environment where religion pervades every aspect of society, Kelantan, the northern-most state in Peninsular Malaysia and the only state that has been ruled by an Islamic party for over 20 years is facing acute challenges ranging from condom usage, polygamy, remarriage and high drug-usage.

Marina Mahathir, president of the Malaysian Aids Foundation, released a study on HIV-positive widows in Kelantan during the 8th International Congress on Aids in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP), currently taking place in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

In the Kelantan study, a total of 56 HIV-positive women were recruited and both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. The number of HIV-positive widows has been increasing at an alarming rate in Kota Baru. In a religious and cultural environment where polygamy is acceptable, there is uncertainty about how women with HIV manage risk and their ability to prevent HIV transmission to their partners.

Here Marina talks to Inter Press Service Asia-Pacific about what could be done in such delicate environment without unsettling religious norms.