Thailand: HIV increases among married women

By Apiradee Treerutkarkul, Bangkok Post
28 May 2009

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is backing a campaign to prevent HIV infection among housewives after figures showed there was an alarming increase in cases in this formerly low-risk group.

Mr Abhisit yesterday told the opening of the national AIDS conference in Bangkok he thought his image as a ‘family man and faithful husband' could encourage married couples, particularly husbands, to be loyal to their spouses.

‘The soaring infection rate ... among housewives is because of a lack of awareness among husbands,' he said. ‘I'm ready to be a presenter if that can help promote faithfulness and reduce the risk of HIV infection to their wives.'

Housewives now make up to 42% of the average number of 11,750 new HIV cases found each year. Housewives were previously identified as having a low risk of infection. Most housewives contracted the virus from their husbands who engage in casual sex. The number was alarming compared to other groups of people who indulge in high-risk behaviour, such as intravenous drug users and men having sex with men, the Public Health Ministry said.

An estimated 520,000 adults and children are living with HIV in Thailand, the Disease Control Department said.

Meanwhile, the results of the final phase of an AIDS vaccine trial in Thailand will be concluded in September. The results would help researchers assess the efficacy of the vaccine in humans after the clinical trial was launched in October 2003, chief researcher Supachai Rerks-ngarm said.

All volunteers are aged 20 to 30 and living in the two eastern provinces of Rayong and Chon Buri, where the rate of infection among labourers is high.