Category: Berita

Nearly 80 percent of Indonesians aged 15 to 24 are at risk of being infected with sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, due to lack of knowledge.

“According to our rapid survey in 2011, only 20.6 percent of youths aged 15 to 24 have comprehensive knowledge [about sexually transmitted diseases],” Minister of Health Nafsiah Mboi told a press conference on Wednesday ahead of the annual National Condom Week.

The figure makes reaching this year’s target of 85 percent awareness about sexually transmitted disease among Indonesian youths seem far-fetched. For 2014, the ministry has set a seemingly unattainable goal of 95 percent awareness.

But Nafsiah said her office is not giving up on that dream yet, refusing to settle on a more realistic target highlighting a recent study that found that 42.3 percent of people with HIV/AIDS are between the ages of 20 and 29 while 33.1 percent are between 30 and 39.

“These people were infected years ago, which means that they were still teenagers [when they contracted HIV],” she said of the first age group. “Which is why we target teenagers.”

Nafsiah said that if low HIV/AIDS awareness continued, the rate of high-risk sexual activity would remain high.

“There are a lot of Indonesian youths committing high-risk activities, particularly in having sex. Abortion among youths is also on the rise,” she said.

The National AIDS Commission estimated in 2025 there would be 1.8 million people with HIV/AIDS in Indonesia but added that a proper prevention program would save around 1.1 million lives.

Data gathered in the January to September period by the West Java Health Agency showed 7,308 new HIV cases and 319 new AIDS cases in West Java.

The data also revealed a shift in the groups being infected, with 747 housewives infected with HIV over the past two years compared to only 464 cases reported from commercial sex workers.

The cumulative amount of HIV/AIDS cases in West Java since 1989 has reached 14,596, the fourth highest in the country after Jakarta, East Java and Papua.

Cianjur district head Tjetjep Muchtar Soleh said that the high number of housewives infected meant that many of their husbands visited prostitutes.

Several groups like the Indonesian Family Planning Association have called for a regulation penalizing those who visit prostitution dens. But the Indonesia AIDS Coalition executive director Aditya Wardhana said the move would be counterproductive.

“Criminalizing [those visiting prostitution dens] will not solve the root cause of the problem … which we all know stems from poverty, human trafficking and low access to education among women,” he said.

“Instead of providing protection, regulations [like this] will make the ‘key population’ more vulnerable to HIV infection. It is wrong for Indonesia to apply policies other countries have proven to be counterproductive in AIDS prevention.”

(source: www.thejakartaglobe.com)

At least 30% of casualties on road in the country take a toll on lives of those in the age group of 15 to 25 years, says the recent WHO (World Health Organization) report. Ironically, the worst indicator of the report on road fatalities is that more than half of the accidents claim the lives of young wage-earners.

The traffic police department, while probing the factors responsible behind 11 major road mishaps cases that occurred within fortnight including Soraon, Industrial Area, Kaudhiyara and Mauaima and claimed 23 lives and left 27 others injured, found that most of deaths were of those in the age group of 16 to 33 years and five of them were wage-earners groups.

WHO report too revealed that the age profile of accident victims other than drivers during 2011 in the country was 25 to 65 years accounting for the largest share of 51.9% of total road accidents and casualties, followed by the 15-24 years age group comprising 30.3%.

The fact is that it’s not HIV/AIDS or any other disease which is the major killer of productive youth across the globe but road accidents.

After witnessing road rage and casualties on city streets and highways, traffic police in the district have been monitoring road safety measures with a strict hand.

With intense checking, physical ability of drivers, including buses, tempos and auto underway, traffic police officials are also interacting with road users seeking their active cooperation to make roads more safe and sound.

Traffic inspector I P Singh said, “We have adapted strict implementation of traffic rules on city streets and measures for road safety have been taken in the same regard”. He added that officials are maintaining a database on road accidents, as well as accident prevention measures at ‘accident-prone areas’ on city streets and connecting highways.

Efforts are also underway to improve the traffic scenario and errant drivers are being punished on spot. However, drivers are being taught lessons in responsible driving to minimise accidents of fatal and non-fatal kinds.

The ministry of road transport and highways has observed that road accidents on national highways constitute 31% of the total figure in the country. About 36% of total road fatalities every year occur on national highways.

Traffic police officials are still aiming to provide road safety education among masses, especially youngsters, and reach it to every commuter. “If we go through the reasons behind road accidents in fatal and non-fatal category, negligence on the part of driver was seen as the major reason,” said a senior cop, adding “following traffic norms is the only solution to check accidents on roads. With over eight lakh vehicles running on streets, it is the responsibility of every driver to follow traffic rules and regulations in all circumstances” said the traffic inspector.

While the analysis of road accident data reveals that driver’s fault was the single most common factor (78%) in road accidents, stress is being laid on educating drivers and making them aware of road safety norms.

The loss of the sole earning member of a family can be disastrous and all drivers must remember that, the latest report of road accidents in India compiled by the road transport and highways ministry said.

With intense checking, physical ability of drivers, including buses, tempos and auto underway, traffic police officials are also interacting with road users seeking their active cooperation to make roads more safe and sound. Efforts are also underway to improve the traffic scenario and errant drivers are being punished on spot

(source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

On World AIDS Day, WHO draws attention to the alarming rise of new HIV infections among men who have sex with men and transgender people in Asia.

MANILA, 30 NOVEMBER 2012 – On World AIDS Day (1 December), the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Western Pacific calls on governments to do more to combat the HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men and transgender people. Unless countries urgently expand access to health services for these key populations, the gains made against the epidemic over the last decade could be jeopardized.

“We need to strengthen our programmes to ensure that these key populations receive the support they need to protect themselves,” says Dr Shin Young-soo, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “We need to scale up and improve sustained, comprehensive, effective and stigma-free HIV prevention efforts focusing on and working with men who have sex with men and transgender people.”

The theme for World AIDS Day 2012 is: “Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV infections. Zero Discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths”. The message relates to a world where people are protected from acquiring HIV and where people living with HIV are able to live long, healthy lives. All people in need should have access to:

– early diagnosis and life-saving antiretroviral treatment

– essential health commodities: male and female condoms, lubricants and clean needles and syringes for effective prevention of HIV transmission

– high-quality and stigma-free health-care and prevention services

According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 2012 (UNAIDS) Global Report: UNAIDS report on the global AIDS epidemic 2012, HIV epidemics in Asia and the Pacific remain largely concentrated among people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men and sex workers. Low-risk women are increasingly affected.

HIV prevention coverage remains inadequate for men who have sex with men. There is low coverage in the Philippines and Viet Nam at 25%. Although China reported more than 75% coverage of such programmes, and a survey of Singaporean and Vietnamese men who have sex with men revealed a high rate of condom use (75%), HIV infection among men who have sex with men across the region continues to grow. This requires governments to re-assess the effectiveness and quality of existing interventions.

In 2011, an estimated 1.3 million people were living with HIV in the 37 countries and areas of the WHO Western Pacific Region, with 80 000 deaths attributed to AIDS. However, the number of people newly infected with HIV declined from 150 000 per year in 2000 to 130 000 in 2011.

In Cambodia, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea, the rate of new HIV infections fell by more than 25% between 2001 and 2011. On the other hand, in the Philippines, the rate of new HIV infections increased by more than 25% per year during the same period. In China, new HIV infections increased among men who have sex with men, while declining among people who inject drugs and remaining low among sex workers.

Globally, 8 million people, or 54% of those in need, were receiving antiretroviral therapy in 2011. In the Western Pacific, only Cambodia reached more than 80% coverage of antiretroviral therapy. In Papua New Guinea, more than 60% of people who needed the therapy were receiving it in 2011. Effective implementation of programmes to halt mother-to-child transmission resulted in a 36% decrease in the number of children born with HIV in the Pacific between 2009 and 2011. In Asia, there was a 12% decrease in new HIV infections among children over the same period.

“This shows that the acceleration of our response is producing results for people,” says Dr Shin. “In particular, the early detection of HIV infections in pregnant women and the availability of antiretroviral medication to prevent mother-to-child transmission have significantly increased the number of children born free of HIV in the Region, and cleaner blood supplies and better hospital infection control have dramatically cut the number of people being infected through blood or unclean injecting equipment.”

To achieve and sustain access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services for people in need in the Region by 2015, WHO in the Western Pacific has identified five critical issues and recommended actions:

– Increase coverage of effective, evidence- and rights-based prevention interventions, including HIV testing and counselling, among people who inject drugs, sex workers, men who have sex with men and transgender people.

– Renew commitments to achieve and sustain universal access to early diagnosis and antiretroviral treatment. Early antiretroviral treatment administered to an HIV-infected person who is in a sexual partnership with an uninfected person can prevent HIV transmission by 96%. Harnessing the benefit will require concerted efforts for early diagnosis and treatment.

– Integrate HIV-related services, such as prevention of mother-to-child transmission and treatment of tuberculosis/HIV and hepatitis/HIV co-infections, into the broader health system.

– Strengthen systems for detection, management and surveillance of sexually transmitted infections and link these to comprehensive HIV prevention strategies.

– Use data from HIV surveillance systems more effectively to trigger programmatic actions that ensure service availability, accessibility, effectiveness, coverage and quality

In 2011, WHO Member States adopted the WHO global health sector strategy on HIV/AIDS 2011-2015, which promotes a long-term, sustainable HIV response by strengthening health and community systems, tackling the social determinants of health that both drive the epidemic and hinder response, protecting and promoting human rights and promoting gender equity.

(source: solomontimes.com)

Governments, civil society groups, and people with AIDS in Africa marked World AIDS Day on Saturday, with growing optimism for an AIDS-free generation as reports are showing the epidemic has stabilized.

Civilians gathered in public places to mark the day when the world remembers lives lost through the epidemic. From stadiums to small market centers and churches, hope registered as many who had gone public with their status gathered and proclaimed that the disease is no-longer a “death sentence.”

“As we remember those who have succumbed to this disease, we must resolve today that we must win this war about HIV/AIDS. If we lose it, humanity stands the risk of being wiped out,” said Kalonzo Musyoka, Kenya’s Vice President in Nakuru town, where he unveiled Kenya’s Equity Tribunal, an anti-discrimination panel for people living with HIV.

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Kenya is the first country in the world to launch such a tribunal that will enforce laws and regulations to eliminate discrimination against people living with HIV, according to Mr. Musyoka. It will address discrimination due to HIV such as dismissal from employment or denial of services.

“This is a bold step towards eliminating stigma and looking after the rights of the people,” said Musyoka.

The tribunal is one of the measures African countries are taking to end exclusion for people with HIV. In the continent, AIDS-related deaths have fallen by 32 percent in the last six years, according to the UNAIDS 2012 Global Epidemic Report. The report also noted that new infections are on the decline: In Sub-Saharan Africa, the most affected region, an estimated 1.8 million were infected in 2011 compared to 2.4-million in 2001.

“We have moved from despair to hope. Far fewer people are dying from AIDS. Twenty-five countries have reduced new infections by more than 50 percent. I want these results in every country,” said Michael Sibidé, UNAIDS executive director in a message for World AIDS Day.

Analysts say the gains are resulting from sustained investment around the epidemic and politicians who are also joining the fight and showing leadership, with presidents declaring it a national disaster in several countries.

Many more people are now using condoms and sterile needles. Governments have also put more people on antiretroviral treatment (ARVs) and taken services to prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) in villages. In Kenya, PMTCT services have reduced infections in babies by 60 percent. Prevention groups are also putting more emphasis on prevention practices such a male circumcision.

“The efforts that have been put in place are bearing fruits, so if we put in more efforts, we can go to zero infections,” says Professor Mohammed Karama, an epidemiologist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute. “We believe the HIV/AIDS has stabilized epidemiologically. This is a result of multiple approaches. It is the people getting to know their status, the prevention of people who are positive to avoid the transmission to other people. The use of condoms had also helped among discordant couples.”

However, with the celebrations, some advocates are concerned the challenge ahead is being underestimated. Global advocacy group ONE, for example, said 6.6 million of the 15 million who need ARVs have no access, new infections every year stand at 2.5 million globally, and funding for ARVs has leveled off limiting the growth of prevention and treatment programs.

(source: www.csmonitor.com)

With 67 percent of Indonesian males over 15 years old smoking, and about a quarter of boys aged 13 to 15 hooked on cigarettes, officials and activists hope that a recent increase in the tobacco excise will be the first step toward rolling back the country’s nicotine addiction.

The government announced on Tuesday that it would increase the excise by an average of 8.5 percent next year to boost state revenue and also discourage people from taking up the unhealthy habit.

“We welcome the government’s plan,” said Tubagus Haryo Karbyanto, chief campaigner for the National Commission on Tobacco Control (Komnas PT).

“Our cigarette prices are so low that even children can afford to buy them. That’s why the smoking epidemic is so massive.”

Cigarettes sell for about $1 a pack in Indonesia, far less than in neighboring countries such as Malaysia and Thailand, where a pack goes for $3 to $4. In developed countries like the United States and Australia, cigarettes can cost upward of $10 per pack. Even the excise on cigarettes, which is currently less than 40 percent, is extremely low by regional standards.

Tubagus said that raising cigarette taxes was the fastest way to curb smoking, particularly among children and low-income families.

“Besides, the tax will not affect the cigarette companies, because they will pass on [the cost] to their customers,” he said.

The Global Adult Tobacco Survey released this year ranked Indonesians as the heaviest smokers in the world, with 67 percent of all male citizens over 15 years old lighting up consistently. According to the WHO, about a quarter of Indonesian boys aged 13 to 15 also smoke.

Tubagus urged the government to amend the law on taxes and excises, which stipulates that the tobacco excises can be raised up to 57 percent, while that for alcoholic drinks can be set at 80 percent.

“Cigarettes should be treated the same as alcoholic beverages to get better results,” he said.

However, Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi argued that the 8.5 percent increase was initiated to avoid resistance from tobacco farmers and lobbyists.

“Don’t just look at the quantity. It’s better to do it gradually than face resistance,” she said.

The Indonesian tobacco industry employs millions and is one of world’s largest cigarette-producing markets, with about 6 percent of the government’s revenue coming from cigarette excise.

The powerful tobacco lobby has been actively campaigning to block regulations that would restrict sales.

Activists say that despite creating more state revenue, the industry absorbs money from families in lower income brackets, trapping them in a cycle of poverty.

A recent survey by the University of Indonesia’s Demographic Institute found that 57 percent of Indonesian households bought cigarettes, and that cigarettes were the country’s second-largest expense after rice. According to the survey, the average household spends Rp 36.5 million ($3,800) every 10 years on cigarettes.

Indonesia is among a handful of countries that has refused to sign an international tobacco control treaty.

Nafsiah said Jakarta would soon sign the UN Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, but did not give a time frame.

“We’ll keep pushing. I want it by the end of this year. But it’s hard because we should consider all stakeholders,” she said.

The convention calls for restrictions on advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products and bans sales of cigarettes to minors.

(source: www.thejakartaglobe.com)