KUCHING: The rising cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Sarawak is a cause for concern, said Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
According to her, the most common STIs reported are Gonorrhea and Syphilis.
Speaking to reporters after attending the Women and Family Department Self-Genius Programme at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today, the minister said among those reported to have been infected were housewives and mothers.
Calling for urgent measures and holistic approach to address the issue, Fatimah added: “It is a worrying matter and something is not right because housewives and mothers are now infected. Last time, more cases reported were because of promiscuity and injection drug users.”
She said more cases had been detected after mothers underwent pre-natal check-ups.
“Now the question is: Did they get infected before marriage or after marriage?”
However, Fatimah felt the issue could be challenging to tackle because some people were afraid or ashamed to have their private parts examined before treatment.
“If a man is found to be infected, please get treatment. He should always use protection if he wants to carry out his “activities” because STI is transmitted through sexual intercourse,” she said.
Fatimah said a holistic approach included creating awareness of STIs and their prevention.
The minister, however, did not disclose the statistics on the reported cases of infected women.
However, based on the Sarawak Social Development Council (MPS)’s statistics provided by the ministry, STI cases in Sarawak had increased from 2011 till last year.
Gonorrhea cases went up 11 per cent from 2010 to 2018 while Syphilis cases rose by 20 per cent for the same period.
Infected individuals were between 20 and 29 years old, with more males infected compared to females.
The statistics showed that in 2011, 89 per cent of the males were infected with Gonorrhea while 11 per cent of the females were infected with it.
In 2018, there was a slight decrease in the number of males infected with Gonorrhoea (82 per cent) while 18 per cent of the females had it.
In 2011, 53 per cent of the males were infected with Syphilis, while 47 per cent of the females had it.
In 2018, there is an increase of males (71 per cent) infected with Syphilis while 29 per cent of the females had it.
According to the statistics, there was an increase of 133 per cent in human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) cases in Sarawak from 2010 to 2018.
In 2017, there were 390 cases compared to 275 cases in 2016 and 218 cases in 2015.
Meanwhile, the objective of the Self-Genius Programme was to help individuals deal with negative thoughts and feelings.
Three hundred and forty five participants comprising civil servants, teachers, parents, couples, and representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) attended the two-day programme.
