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Exposure to HIV among the heterosexual population implicates risks to children. In thisregard, there is no documentation on the number of infected and affected children inMalaysia. The Malaysian AIDS Foundation has on record 246 HIV-infected childrenbelow 12 years who are receving its support 4 . Furthermore, estimates for Malaysia fromthe UNAIDS and WHO global surveillance of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmittedinfections report as many as 14,000 children who have lost one or both parents to AIDS(UNDP 2005). Without doubt, the number of orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC)in this country will rise as HIV spreads among the heterosexual population. At the sametime, being in the MSM category does not preclude having children. The 2006 NationalStrategic Plan on HIV/AIDS stipulates improving support to this group through thefollowing strategies (MOH 2006b): The provision of appropriate counselling and psychosocial support to orphans andother vulnerable children, and to their carers; The provision of HIV/AIDS treatment and care for HIV-infected children; Their enrolment in school; ensuring their access to shelter, good nutrition, health andsocial services on an equal basis with other children; Non-discrimination through the promotion of an active and visible policy of destigmatisationof children orphaned and made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS.Contrary to the widely held perception that sex workers are a high risk group, it appearsthat, by occupation, the majority of infected persons are categorised as long-distancedrivers, followed by the unemployed or with temporary employment (odd job labour) andfishermen/fishmongers (Figure 3). At the same time, however, a study on fishermen inTerengganu found an association between substance abuse and HIV infection amongthem (MOH 1999). Similarly, odd job labour, unemployment, and, possibly longdistancedriving, also may be job categories correlated with substance abuse/dependence.Figure 3: New HIV cases by year and occupation group8000700060005000Number400030002000OthersLong distant driverHousewifeSex workerFactory workerFisherman/fishmongerPolice/armyStudentsGovernment OfficerOdd jobsJobless100001989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003Year4 Source: Malaysian AIDS Foundation (November 2006)17