'HIV cases on rise among youth'

A health expert has delivered a stark warning about the rapid rise in HIV cases among young people, primarily caused by unprotected and unregulated beauty and tattoo services, and shared needle use among drug users.

The expert, Dr Faizan, underscored the vital need for regular testing and education. He emphasised the crucial need for regular annual health checks to combat this growing health threat. He revealed that over the last six years, the HIV rate among young people has alarmingly escalated from 2.5 per cent to a staggering 5 per cent, primarily attributed to high-risk behaviours such as frequenting unlicensed beauty parlours and tattoo shops, and injecting drugs with shared syringes.

He cautioned young people to exercise extreme caution when using barber shop services, advising them to ensure that new and sterilised equipment is used for shaving and hair cutting to minimise the risk of HIV transmission.

He emphasised that unsterilised tattoo needles, shared razors or shaving equipment, and unsterilised nail clippers or piercing equipment can pose a significant risk. "The risk of HIV transmission is real if the equipment is not properly sterilised," he cautioned. "It is crucial for individuals to choose licensed and reputable parlours and tattoo shops, ensure that equipment is sterilised, and avoid sharing personal care items."