Islam and Health Policies Related to HIV Prevention in Malaysia (SpringerBriefs in Public Health)

This salient text presents a culturally aware public health approach to the HIV epidemic in Malaysia, a country emblematic of the Muslim world's response to the crisis. It explores complex interactions of religion with health as a source of coping as well as stigma and denial, particularly as Islam plays a central role in Malaysian culture, politics, and policy. At the heart of the book, a groundbreaking study analyzes attitudes and behaviors toward prevention among diverse people living with HIV, faith leaders, and government health officials. From these findings, readers gain insight into how health professionals, policymakers, and organizations can create appropriate prevention programs in Malaysia, with implications for other Muslim countries. This timely volume: * Situates Malaysia and the Asian Pacific region in the context of the HIV epidemic. * Analyzes ways Islamic beliefs can shape perceptions of HIV and prevention policy. * Reviews a unique study of stakeholder opinions and practices regarding HIV. * Discusses the consequences of Islamic rulings on sex outside marriage. * Offers recommendations for effective HIV prevention practice and policy. __Islam and Health Policies Related to HIV Prevention in Malaysia__ is of immediate relevance to researchers studying HIV prevention, social aspects of religion, sexuality, and sex education. Policymakers in health promotion and health education as well as graduate students in sex education, sociology, psychology, and cultural studies should also find it useful. Dedication 6 Acknowledgements 7 Contents 8 About the Authors 10 Chapter 1: Introduction 12 Religion, Health and Society 12 Religion and HIV 14 HIV in the Muslim World 14 Malaysia 15 References 16 Chapter 2: Background 17 Malaysia’s Historical Context 17 The Global HIV Epidemic, the Muslim World and Asia Pacific 18 HIV in Malaysia and High Risk Groups 20 Men Who Have Sex with Men 21 Female Sex Workers 23 Transgender Women 24 Vulnerable Women and Other Groups 25 Knowledge and Perceptions of HIV in Malaysia and of Sex Education 25 Harm Reduction in Malaysia 26 Islamic Engagement 28 Access to HIV Services and the Importance of Environment 29 Condom Promotion and Premarital HIV Testing 30 Conclusion 31 References 32 Chapter 3: Methodology 37 Qualitative Methodology 37 Location, Time, Participants, Sampling 37 Quantitative Methodology 39 Study Tools, Location and Time, Respondents 39 Data Collection, Entry and Analysis 41 References 41 Chapter 4: Findings 42 Qualitative Results 42 Islam’s View of Life, Health and Wellbeing 42 Knowledge About HIV 46 Sex Outside Marriage 49 Sex Education 51 Current HIV Prevention in Malaysia 52 Condom Distribution 53 Premarital HIV Testing 54 Condoms 56 Transgender Women 58 Men Who have Sex with Men (MSM) 62 Law and Authority 64 Human Rights 66 Stakeholder Relationships 67 Actions to be Taken by Stakeholders 71 Other Themes 75 Quantitative Results 77 Correct Knowledge of HIV Transmission 78 Correct Knowledge of HIV Prevention 79 Sources of HIV Knowledge 80 Chapter 5: Discussion 81 Context 81 Islamic Religious Belief and Sexual Behaviour 82 Power Dynamics 85 Stakeholder Understanding of HIV Transmission and Prevention 86 Transgender Women and Men Who Have Sex with Men 88 Transgender Women 88 Men Who Have Sex with Men 90 The Consequences of Islamic Rulings on Sex Outside Marriage 91 References 93 Chapter 6: Conclusions and Recommendations 95 Conclusions 95 Recommendations 96 Change in Language 96 Utilisation of Islamic Principles in HIV Prevention 96 Redistribution of Power 96 Dialogue 97 Sex and Relationship Education in Education System 97 Uploading Correct and Useful Information Through the Internet and Social Media 97 Greater NGO Support 98 Ability to Opt Out 98 Utilisation of Religious Leaders 98 Greater Emphasis of Condom Usage 99 Increased Public Awareness of HIV 99 Peer Education 99 Greater Transparency 99 Further Research 99 Index 101 This salient text presents a culturally aware public health approach to the HIV epidemic in Malaysia, a country emblematic of the Muslim world's response to the crisis. It explores complex interactions of religion with health as a source of coping as well as stigma and denial, particularly as Islam plays a central role in Malaysian culture, politics, and policy. At the heart of the book, a groundbreaking study analyzes attitudes and behaviors toward prevention among diverse people living with HIV, faith leaders, and government health officials. From these findings, readers gain insight into how health professionals, policymakers, and organizations can create appropriate prevention programs in Malaysia, with implications for other Muslim countries. This timely volume: 0Situates Malaysia and the Asian Pacific region in the context of the HIV epidemic.0Analyzes ways Islamic beliefs can shape perceptions of HIV and prevention policy.0Reviews a unique study of stakeholder opinions and practices regarding HIV.0Discusses the consequences of Islamic rulings on sex outside marriage.0Offers recommendations for effective HIV prevention practice and policy.0Islam and Health Policies Related to HIV Prevention in Malaysia is of immediate relevance to researchers studying HIV prevention, social aspects of religion, sexuality, and sex education. Policymakers in health promotion and health education as well as graduate students in sex education, sociology, psychology, and cultural studies should also find it useful Front Matter ....Pages i-xii Introduction (Sima Barmania, Michael J. Reiss)....Pages 1-5 Background (Sima Barmania, Michael J. Reiss)....Pages 7-26 Methodology (Sima Barmania, Michael J. Reiss)....Pages 27-31 Findings (Sima Barmania, Michael J. Reiss)....Pages 33-71 Discussion (Sima Barmania, Michael J. Reiss)....Pages 73-86 Conclusions and Recommendations (Sima Barmania, Michael J. Reiss)....Pages 87-92 Back Matter ....Pages 93-95