Malaysia has recorded its highest number of Aids-related deaths since 1986 with 2,160 persons succumbing to the fatal condition last year, according to the Malaysian Aids Council.

NONE Drug abuse via injections was the predominant route of transmission for the HIV virus which leads to Aids, accounting for more than 70 percent of the cases. This was followed by heterosexual and homosexual or bisexual intercourse.

Statistics released ahead of the national-level launch of World Aids Day in Kuala Terengganu today, reveal that 55.5 percent of all new HIV cases last year were attributed to drug abuse via injection and 32 percent to sexual transmission.

Disturbingly, 35.9 percent of the reported infections were among those between the ages 13 and 29. Most reported infections occurred among young Malay heterosexual males between the ages of 20 and 39 who injected drugs, said the council.

An average of nine new reported cases of HIV were reported every day last year - six were infected by injecting narcotics, and the rest through sexual transmission.

The council said that, among men, drug abuse via syringes continued to be the main mode of transmission while women mostly contacted infection through heterosexual contact.

azlan However, the council said that number of new HIV infections in the country (as opposed to Aids-related deaths) which had been fluctuating since 1996 and peaked in 2002 has been gradually decreasing.

Difficult challenges

Men still represent the majority (92 percent) of cumulative HIV cases while women and girls account for less than 10 percent. Children below the age of 13 consistently comprised 1 percent of cumulative total of HIV infections from 1986 to December 2009.

Women and girls now account for almost 20 percent of the new infections, compared to 5 percent a decade ago.

The council said the majority of the states in Peninsular Malaysia have HIV epidemics driven by drug abuse via injection while some states are also showing trends of rising rates of infection due to heterosexual transmission.

Sabah and Sarawak last year reported that almost 97 percent and 83 percent of their respective HIV cases were the result of sexual transmission.

hiv aids number of deaths 300305 The council noted that the World Health Organisation says HIV in Malaysia is predicted to be increasingly spread through sexual modes of transmission while infections acquired through injecting drug use are expected to plateau.

"It is expected that this evolving picture of the HIV epidemic will present new and difficult challenges for HIV programming taking into consideration Malaysia's cultural and religious context and sensitivities," said the council.

HIV was first reported in Malaysia in 1986. As at last December, the country recorded 87,710 persons with HIV.

However, an estimated 105,439 people are currently living with HIV, and 13,394 Aids-related deaths had been reported as at 2009.

Month-long musical

In an effort to raise public awareness about HIV and related issues, the Malaysian Aids Foundation will stage a month-long musical in collaboration with The Actors Studio.

NONE The show is directed by well-known local theatre personality Joe Hasham and has a cast of

23 - including Faridah Merican - and an eight-piece band that will perform 18 songs.

"We have a long way more to go to combat HIV and Aids and to educate people as well as change mindsets and perceptions. A show like ‘Adam' will hopefully help humanise the HIV and Aids issue," said foundation head Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman.

"It takes it away from all the academic and medical jargon and brings it down to a human level where other people can understand and relate to it."

‘Adam the Musical' will run from May 12 to June 20 at The Actors Studio in the Lot 10 shopping centre, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur.

Performances are at 8.30pm daily and on 3pm on Sundays (no performance on Mondays) with ticket prices at RM60, RM40 and RM30 (the last for students, senior citizens and the disabled).

Further details here and here .

Reviews of Adam the Musical here and here .