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Country Profile

Since 1986 to 2008, Ministry of Health Malaysia reported a cumulative number of 82,704 HIV cases and 14,133 AIDS cases . The highest number of cases is being reported in the 30-39 age groups (6,128) Men represent 91% of reported cases.

HIV transmission route is still the highest through people who inject drugs (55%), followed by sexual transmission (30%) and ranging < 3% within other transmission routes. However 11% of transmission routes are reported with no information or indication of risk factors .

The total number of reported HIV infections and AIDS cases per year had been fluctuating from 1996 to 2001; in 2002 there was a slight ascent in number of cases that were reported after which it gradually descended in 2007 from 7,000 to 5,000 cases per year.

From 2002 to 2006, five from fourteen states have reported increases in the number of reported HIV cases amongst women. On the other hand, Perlis, Melaka and Terrenganu recorded substantial decreases between the same reported years. The states of Kedah, Kalentan, Kuala Lumpur, Sabah and Sarawak remain the top five regions where HIV amongst women is highest compared to the other states. Kelantan, with a cumulative total of 998 reported female cases of HIV, is the state with the highest number of women found to be infected since 1986.

The majority of cumulative HIV and AIDS cases from 1986 to 2007 was found amongst the Malays (72%), followed by the Chinese (15%) and the Indians (8%). The mode of HIV transmission varies by ethnicity. For instance, HIV acquired through people who inject drugs is most commonly found in Malay and Indian ethnic groups. On the other hand, heterosexual transmission is most prevalent amongst Chinese Malaysians. Evidence however points to the epidemic spreading into the indigenous population and those living in the East Malaysia states, Sabah and Sarawak.

The primary HIV infection is mainly amongst people who inject drugs; however there is ample evidence that heterosexual transmission has increased over the last few years followed by infections due to homosexual intercourse. Based on UNGASS indicators 2007, HIV prevalence amongst MSM is estimated at 7% followed by >5% amongst sex workers.

The Government’s commitment to the harm reduction approach for people who inject drugs is best illustrated through its allocation of USD 90 million for these programmes. Indeed, 60% of the AIDS budget were made available to the HIV and AIDS response for five years for harm reduction programmes. However, it has been recognised by both Government and civil society that other HIV prevention programmes would also be needed.