Marc Thompson

"Testing targets: findings from the United Kingdom Gay Men’s Sex Survey 2007" carried out by Sigma Research and commissioned by THT (Terrence Higgins Trust) is the largest survey of its kind in the world, with over 6,000 men taking part.
 
The findings indicate a big increase in the number of gay men who have ever had an HIV test. Whereas less than half of all men surveyed in 2002 said they’d ever tested for HIV, the latest findings shows that 66% of men confirmed they have had an HIV test.
 
Among men that had ever tested, one-in-seven had tested positive for HIV infection. Testing for HIV and testing positive for HIV were most common among men living in London, men in their 30s and 40s and men with 30 or more male partners in the last year. However, testing and testing positive was common among all groups of gay men and in all regions of the UK.
 
Marc Thompson, Deputy Head of Health Promotion at Terrence Higgins Trust said:
“A third of gay men have never tested and with a quarter of gay men with HIV unaware they are infected, the Gay Men’s Sex Survey is vitally important when it comes to planning future sexual health campaigns and HIV prevention work. It’s now recommended that gay men test at least once a year, or after any unprotected sex so if you have any concerns about your sexual health consider getting tested so you know for sure.”
 
Dr. Ford Hickson from Sigma Research said:
“The survey is taking a break this year but keep an eye out for 2010 when it will be part of a pan-European version undertaken in up to 20 languages.”
 
To download the report view:
www.sigmaresearch.org.uk/go.php/reports/report2009f/

For more information about THT view:
www.tht.org.uk