TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - West Java Deputy Governor Uu Ruzhanul Ulum suggested marriage and polygamy as solutions to prevent Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV from spreading further following news of increased infections in the province, especially in Bandung and Cianjur. Throughout January-July 2022, dozens of pregnant women in Cianjur tested positive for HIV.

The suggestion sparked public controversy. Doctor Adam Prabata dismissed the suggestion in his educational video posted on Instagram, Wednesday. He stated that a study about polygamy as a solution to reduce HIV spread presented poor evidence.

Instead, Adam emphasized that risky sexual behavior may increase the risk of having HIV, according to a study in Africa published in December 2020. “So instead of polygamy, it’s better to suggest [people] to reduce or even abandon risky sexual behavior.”

He explained that risky sexual behavior includes having sexual intercourse with multiple partners, without protection, and for rewards or money.

The risk of HIV transmission is higher in people who frequently have unprotected anal or vaginal sex; have other sexually transmitted infections (STIs); use dangerous drugs in the context of sexual behavior; share contaminated syringes; receive unsafe injections, blood transfusions, and tissue transplants, and medical procedures involving unsterile cutting or piercing; as well as suffer accidental needle stick injuries, including among health workers.

In Bandung, the majority of HIV cases occur among heterosexuals, followed by drug users.

MILA NOVITA

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