Home > [an error occurred while processing this directive]

Gay men urged to test and to take responsibility for condom use

By James Ledward
Dec 20, 2011 - 3:21:14 PM
News Feed
Printer friendly page
Bookmark and Share
WEB_220_Matthew_Hodson_Oct_2008_5.jpg
Matthew Hodson
The latest data from the Health Protection Agency reports that more than one in four gay men with HIV remain unaware of their infection.

Late diagnosis can result in poorer health outcomes and can contribute to the onward transmission of HIV.
 
Key findings from the latest Health Protection Agency report on MSM include:

• In 2010, an estimated 40,000 men who have sex with men (MSM) in the UK were living with HIV, 26% of whom were unaware of their infection.

• MSM living with a diagnosed HIV infection in the UK can expect a near-normal life expectancy, particularly if they are diagnosed promptly.

• Out of those diagnosed in 2010, 39% were diagnosed late (CD4 count <350 cells/mm3) and 18% very late (<200). A late diagnosis increases the risk of dying within a year 10-fold compared to those diagnosed promptly.

• More than 51,000 MSM had an HIV test in a STI clinic in 2010, with coverage at 82%. The number of MSM testing covered approximately 7% of the MSM population in England.[1]
 
Matthew Hodson, Head of Programmes at GMFA, commented on the news:
“The numbers of gay men getting tested has increased over recent years but there are still too many gay men who are unaware that they have been infected with HIV. If you have HIV, early diagnosis means that you can access the treatment and care that can dramatically increase your life expectancy.”
 
“GMFA recommends that all sexually active gay men get tested at least once a year – and more if they have had any unprotected sex. Knowing your HIV status is the first of the five Count Me In actions, which combined can help stop the spread of HIV in our community. We urge gay men to test regularly, to take control of their health and to take responsibility for safer sex.”
 
Information about GMFA’s Count Me In campaign can be found at: www.youcancountmein.org.uk

To read the full HPA report, visit:
http://www.hpa.org.uk/Publications/InfectiousDiseases/HIVAndSTIs/1111STIsinMSMintheUK2011report/
 


Can't find what you're looking for?
Take a look in the News archive.
Amsterdam