Friday, March 27, 2009
HIV statistics among gay men falls slightly
Figures from a new report by the Health Protection Agency estimates in the UK last year there were 7,370 new HIV diagnoses. The agency found a high transmission rate still remains among gay men. They estimated 2,830 of the new diagnoses were through men having sex with men.
However, diagnoses in gay men have lowered since 2007, but the amount of gay men being diagnosed is still the second highest amount recorded by the agency ever. The agency said they are unsure if the number has reduced because less gay men are getting HIV or whether researchers were unable to report all new diagnoses.
Sexual health expert at the Health Protection Agency, Dr Barry Evans said:
"The number of gay men diagnosed as HIV positive each year is still high and shows that a large number of individuals are still being infected.
"Gay men continue to be the group in the UK most at risk of acquiring HIV and latest national guidelines recommend that gay men should test annually.”
He advised safe sex by using condoms as being the safest way to protect against HIV.
THT’s Head of Policy, Lisa Power said:"Numbers of people diagnosed with HIV are rising for many reasons. More people are getting tested, which is good. But some people don't realise they could be at risk, and others take risks despite knowing them. HIV is not a risk worth taking."
Professor Maria Zambon, Director of the Health Protection Agency's Centre for Infections, said:
"People need to know that testing for HIV and all sexually transmitted infections is both free and confidential at sexual health clinics across the UK. If you have had unprotected sex with a new or casual partner you should go and get tested.”
She said having easier access to HIV testing through a variety of health care settings is important, especially for those most at risk, which includes gay men and black African heterosexuals.
The report found evidence that those in higher risk groups such as gay men are being tested and diagnosed earlier than they used to, but one in five gay men are still being diagnosed late, which is after the point that treatment should have started.
To view information about the report, visit the Health Protection Agency’s website on: www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1238055365942?p=1231252394302.
