JAKARTA (UCAN) -- HIV infection in Indonesia, though still low, has been increasing rapidly mainly due to drug addiction and the sex trade, says the secretary of the National AIDS Commission, a Catholic laywoman.

According to Theresia Nafsiah Mboi, a change in people's behavior is needed to stop the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that usually leads to AIDS. However, she admits this change of behavior is difficult.

Mboi also says prevention must be carried out in a way that does not compromise human dignity. The most important task, in her view, is to strengthen families' faith life.

Theresia Nafsiah Mboi, secretary of the National AIDS Commission in Indonesia.

UCA News spoke with Mboi during a national workshop on HIV and AIDS held Nov. 27-28 at a Jakarta hotel. The National AIDS Commission organized the workshop, which reviewed prevention of AIDS transmission through sex, to commemorate World AIDS Day, observed annually on Dec. 1. This year's theme was "Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise."

The interview follows:

UCA NEWS: What is the main cause of HIV transmission in Indonesia?

THERESIA NAFSIAH MBOI: Drug injection and free sex. In Jakarta and East Java province, more than 60 percent of HIV transmission is by drug injection. In Papua, 94 percent of HIV transmission is from free sex.

How serious is the HIV and AIDS situation in Indonesia?

In 2006, there were 169,230 people with HIV or AIDS. In December 2007, the number was 193,070 out of a total population of 227,779,100 in Indonesia. The percentage is small, about 0.1 percent, but people should be careful because many of Indonesia's people are young.

AIDS and narkoba [Indonesian acronym for narcotics, psychotropic and addictive substances] addiction have increased rapidly within the past few years. The increase in intravenous drug users (IDUs) made HIV and AIDS cases jump about 40 percent from 2000 to 2005. If the number of IDUs did not increase, however, there would be only small numbers of people with HIV and AIDS. IDUs in 2006 totaled 220,000. With such a high number of IDUs, it is predicted that in 2020 there will be 2.1 million people infected with HIV.

In seven provinces, the highest number of HIV and AIDS transmission in 2007 occurred among sex workers and IDUs. The National AIDS Commission's January-June 2007 report mentions Papua province with the highest number of HIV/AIDS transmission, followed by Jakarta, Riau Islands, Bali and West Kalimantan.

The prevalence of HIV and AIDS in Indonesia is still low. However, the number of people with HIV or AIDS is increasing every year.

Why is it increasing?

It is because of people's behavior. Many [infected] sex workers, for instance, choose not to leave their jobs. In 2006, there were an estimated 3.1 million married men who had sexual intercourse with sex workers. These men transmit HIV to their wives. The wives then transmit HIV to babies in their wombs.

Is there any age group that is particularly at risk?

Up to late June 2007, the greatest number of HIV/AIDS cases was in the 20-29 age group (53.87 percent). The second and third highest were the 30-39 group (27.74 percent) and 40-49 group (8.12 percent). There were 100 children under 5 years old infected with HIV in 2007, but this year that number is 191.

What actions should be taken to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS?

HIV/AIDS is a national problem, so it is our responsibility to prevent it. We should work together and help one another in taking more intensive, integrated and directed efforts. We should not blame each other but fight together.

The National AIDS Commission has established programs from 2007 until 2010 to prevent HIV transmission as well as increase the quality of life of people with HIV/AIDS and reduce the socio-economic impact of the AIDS epidemic. These comprehensive programs that include prevention, treatment and medication also involve all elements of society as well as the government and NGOs. These programs aim to empower the people so they can prevent HIV transmission by themselves.

Supplying condoms in red-light districts is another program.

Why do you support condom use?

Condoms are very important in this situation, although it contradicts our moral values. But I disagree if it is said the moral approach fails. I think faith strengthening among families is more important. Our service must be oriented to human dignity.

The female condom program is a new breakthrough in HIV and AIDS prevention and a challenge at the same time. This program began in Jayapura, capital of Papua province, in 2006.

What is the most effective means of prevention?

What we must do first is to break up the chain of transmission. How we do that? We offer IDUs awareness programs, during which they are urged to stop injecting drugs into their bodies. We provide them with methadone, which has no side effect and is safe even for pregnant women.

I disagree with Papua province's regional regulation draft on putting a microchip into the body of each person living with HIV or AIDS. This draft is being discussed by the local legislative council. This may create injustice and discrimination against people with HIV and AIDS. Whatever we do to prevent HIV transmission, we must keep upholding human dignity.

You have been implementing the programs for one year. What's the result?

What we have been doing is not too effective, because people's behavior is still hard to change. We encouraged people to change but many of them refused. We must admit that to change someone else's behavior is not easy.

We must improve our service management. Our budget for the programs is still far from enough, although we receive 75 billion rupiah (about US$6.25 million) every year from benefactors in Indonesia and overseas.

The biggest challenge we face is that many people regard drug users as criminals to be put in jail. Drug users hide themselves, which makes it difficult for them to get [new] needles, so they use the same needles.

Do you work with social and religious organizations?

The National AIDS Commission has been supporting preventive efforts in a systematic and integrated way.

We involve various religious organizations in meetings and activities at the national level. At the local level in Papua province, for example, Churches and other religious organizations have a significant role in spreading the message that people can avoid HIV/AIDS by strengthening their faith. This also exists in several other provinces.

What about the role of religious leaders?

They have an important role in strengthening the faith of families. About 50 percent of men who have sexual intercourse with sex workers are married. They need to learn religious teachings.

Also, religious leaders can encourage people not to discriminate against people with HIV/AIDS. Our religion teaches us to love one another and to forgive sinners. Religious leaders are willing to help get treatment for those living with HIV/AIDS. I see Buddhist monks in Thailand willing to give donations to families of those living with HIV/AIDS. This is something I do not see in Indonesia.

Will HIV/AIDS cases in Indonesia continue to increase?

It depends on the people. If they want to change their behavior, HIV/AIDS transmission can be prevented. But based on the present situation, we can predict that the number of people infected with HIV will increase. Such rapid infection may also happen in jails.

We must try to keep men from getting infected with HIV. In this way, we also prevent women from getting transmitted by HIV.

END