Call To Reduce Hiv/sti Testing Stigma As Australian Hiv Notifications Rise

World AIDS Day call to reduce the stigma around HIV and other STI testing as HIV notifications rise in Australia

HIV continues to be a major health problem for 33 million infected people worldwide. In Australia new diagnosis of HIV have increased substantially over recent years after declining for much of the 1990s. Associate Professor Margaret Hellard, Head of the Centre for Population Health at The Burnet Institute said, "In light of this fact governments and health professionals need to work together to reduce the stigma around HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) testing to reverse this worrying trend."

"There is unlikely to be a single reason why this has occurred; increased notifications of other STIs such as syphilis which are known to increase the risks of acquiring HIV, moderate increases in sexual risk behaviours, incremental increases in the proportion of healthy and sexually gay men with HIV, and an understanding of improved HIV treatment outcomes may all be contributing to increases in HIV transmissions.

"Notifications of HIV among heterosexuals are also rising, albeit from a low base. However, we know that in general heterosexual populations do not test frequently for HIV and there is a concern that there may be pool of undiagnosed infection in the heterosexual population. Considering the substantial increases in STI notifications we need to encourage regular testing and reduce stigma associated around HIV.

"Since HIV was first discovered anti-retroviral drugs have been developed that have less severe side-effects and allow people who are HIV positive to live longer and healthier lives. HIV is not the terrifying disease it was when the epidemic was declared around 28 years ago, if you have access to antiretroviral drugs like we do in developed countries such as Australia." Professor Hellard said.

World Aids Day is observed by 120 countries worldwide. It is held to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS and to strengthen support for HIV positive people and those affected by AIDS.

www.burnet.edu.au

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SOURCE: Burnet Institute