HIV Reduction Encouraging

1st December 2006

The Queensland Association for Healthy Communities (QAHC) has welcomed the news that HIV diagnoses in Queensland are on target to decrease in 2006.

After several years of increases in HIV diagnoses, Queensland Health is predicting that the annual figure for 2006 should be around 120 people, down 20% from the figure of 150 people in 2005.

“This is really great news” said Paul Martin, General Manager of QAHC “It shows that gay men are not complacent about HIV and that HIV infection is not inevitable. While it is too early to tell if this is an ongoing trend, it is certainly encouraging news.”

QAHC, along with other community based & non-government organisations and Queensland Health have given increased focus to HIV prevention over the past few years. A state-wide HIV Prevention Plan has been put together by a range of services and a small amount of additional funding has been made available by Queensland Health.

“Gay groups, media and other businesses have also played their part in supporting HIV prevention efforts and working in partnership to bring about this reduction” said Paul Martin. “We must all continue to work hard to support gay men in sticking to safe sex and in supporting those who do become infected. The smaller the numbers become the more difficult it is to reduce them even further and the more resources are needed. We can not afford to take our eye off the ball at this stage, and we must do more to reach out and support those who need it.”

Notes:

The annual figure for 2006 is based on diagnoses up until end of October 2006 and may change due to late reporting and other factors.

Condoms and water based lubricant remain the safest way of preventing HIV transmission. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can help HIV be picked up and passed on. People who are sexually active should get a sexual health check-up at least once a year, and more often if they have many partners. People can have HIV and STIs without knowing it, and be passing them on to others.

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