Mak Nyahs in Malaysia: does HIV/AIDS knowledge really reduce HIV-related risk behaviours?

Suofeiya, Maliya and Razali, Zul Azlin and Mohd Subri, Irwan and Draman, Samsul and Mokhtar, Rafidah Hanim (2018) Mak Nyahs in Malaysia: does HIV/AIDS knowledge really reduce HIV-related risk behaviours? International Medical Journal of Malaysia, 17 (3). pp. 29-38. ISSN 1823-4631

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Abstract

Introduction. Male-to-female transgender individuals are known as mak nyahs in Malaysia. Akin to many other countries, mak nyahs face discriminations in securing proper employment, thus many end up in sex trade, exposing them to HIV-related high risk behaviours. This paper aims to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and risk behaviours in HIV/AIDS among mak nyahs in Malaysia. Method. Validated questionnaires in local language were used. Knowledge, attitude, and HIV-related risk behaviours were measured. With respondent-driven sampling method, 54 subjects participated in the survey. IBM SPSS was used for data analysis. Results. Majority of the subjects reported to have HIV-related sexual risk, although only a quarter were sex workers. Misconceptions still remained among the subjects. Inconsistent condom use was common. Adequate knowledge did result in better attitude towards HIV/AIDS. However, multiple regression analysis showed that subjects with higher knowledge in HIV/AIDS tend to have higher sexual risks (β = 0.320, p = 0.030). Conclusion. Educating the transgender community about HIV/AIDS does not seem to adequately reduce the HIV-related sexual risks. Other approaches, i.e. socio-cultural values and religious practices may be effective to instil higher levels of awareness and self-responsibility in this community to eliminate HIVrelated high risk behaviours.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	5011/68639
Uncontrolled Keywords:	male-to-female transgender, MTF, HIV, AIDS, sex worker
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA1190 Toxicology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA644.3 Chronic and Noninfectious Diseases and Public Health R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA790 Mental Health. Mental Illness Prevention R Medicine > RZ Other systems of medicine
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Medicine Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Family Medicine (Effective: 1st January 2011)
Depositing User:	SR NUR FARHANA LATFI
Date Deposited:	20 Dec 2018 15:52
Last Modified:	15 Mar 2019 13:48
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/68639

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