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HIV levels in gay men 'not falling' | HIV levels in gay men 'not falling' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News | By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News |
A resurgence of risky sexual practice could be behind a failure to curb HIV in gay and bisexual men in England and Wales, researchers suggest. | |
New infections were static at about 2,300 a year between 2001 and 2010, despite rises in early diagnosis and far more people taking medication. | New infections were static at about 2,300 a year between 2001 and 2010, despite rises in early diagnosis and far more people taking medication. |
Scientists, writing in the Lancet Infectious Diseases, also suggested issues with testing at-risk people. | |
Campaigners said there were "real challenges" in HIV prevention. | Campaigners said there were "real challenges" in HIV prevention. |
There is concern about the spread of HIV in men who have sex with other men. The Health Protection Agency's latest report said HIV had reached an "all-time high" in this group, with more and more new cases reported each year. | There is concern about the spread of HIV in men who have sex with other men. The Health Protection Agency's latest report said HIV had reached an "all-time high" in this group, with more and more new cases reported each year. |
Infections | Infections |
Working out the number of new infections each year is complicated, as many people are undiagnosed and there can be a long delay between someone being infected and finding out. | Working out the number of new infections each year is complicated, as many people are undiagnosed and there can be a long delay between someone being infected and finding out. |
Researchers at the Medical Research Council Biostatistics Unit, in Cambridge, estimated when people were infected based on the state of their immune system. | Researchers at the Medical Research Council Biostatistics Unit, in Cambridge, estimated when people were infected based on the state of their immune system. |
Their study showed little difference between the spread of HIV in 2001 and 2010. | Their study showed little difference between the spread of HIV in 2001 and 2010. |
"We found the number of new infections remained quite stable over the decade, there was no evidence of a decline," researcher Dr Daniela De Angelis told the BBC. | "We found the number of new infections remained quite stable over the decade, there was no evidence of a decline," researcher Dr Daniela De Angelis told the BBC. |
In that time the number of gay or bisexual men being tested in clinics went from 16,000 to 59,000 a year, the time from infection to diagnosis fell from four years to just over three and the numbers taking antiretroviral therapy went from 69% to 80%. | In that time the number of gay or bisexual men being tested in clinics went from 16,000 to 59,000 a year, the time from infection to diagnosis fell from four years to just over three and the numbers taking antiretroviral therapy went from 69% to 80%. |
Unsafe sex | Unsafe sex |
Dr De Angelis said: "Perhaps a resurgence of unsafe sexual practice might be fuelling the spread of HIV or perhaps testing is not very targeted." | Dr De Angelis said: "Perhaps a resurgence of unsafe sexual practice might be fuelling the spread of HIV or perhaps testing is not very targeted." |
The Health Protection Agency said it was "seriously concerned" about the level of transmission and that unsafe sex was "the most plausible explanation" for the findings. | The Health Protection Agency said it was "seriously concerned" about the level of transmission and that unsafe sex was "the most plausible explanation" for the findings. |
The organisation's head of HIV surveillance, Dr Valerie Delpech, said: "Men who have sex with men should get an HIV and STI [sexually transmitted infections] screen at least annually, and every three months if having unprotected sex with new or casual partners - and we urge clinicians to take every opportunity to offer the test to this group." | The organisation's head of HIV surveillance, Dr Valerie Delpech, said: "Men who have sex with men should get an HIV and STI [sexually transmitted infections] screen at least annually, and every three months if having unprotected sex with new or casual partners - and we urge clinicians to take every opportunity to offer the test to this group." |
Sir Nick Partridge, the chief executive at Terrence Higgins Trust, which campaigns on sexual health, said: "These findings highlight the real challenges faced by HIV prevention work, which need much greater attention." | Sir Nick Partridge, the chief executive at Terrence Higgins Trust, which campaigns on sexual health, said: "These findings highlight the real challenges faced by HIV prevention work, which need much greater attention." |
He said that spending on safer sex campaigns had "fallen dramatically" over the past 10 years and "we must challenge the assumptions some gay men make about HIV and re-energise gay communities to tackle a real and growing threat to their sexual health". | He said that spending on safer sex campaigns had "fallen dramatically" over the past 10 years and "we must challenge the assumptions some gay men make about HIV and re-energise gay communities to tackle a real and growing threat to their sexual health". |
Yusef Azad, the director of policy at the National Aids Trust, said: "Around seven gay or bisexual men a day in the UK are getting HIV. | Yusef Azad, the director of policy at the National Aids Trust, said: "Around seven gay or bisexual men a day in the UK are getting HIV. |
"Prevention services so far have been under-resourced, without a clear focus on outcomes or effectiveness. | "Prevention services so far have been under-resourced, without a clear focus on outcomes or effectiveness. |
"They often do not address the cultural and structural drivers of HIV transmission amongst gay and bisexual men - including drug use, mental health issues and the gay scene." | "They often do not address the cultural and structural drivers of HIV transmission amongst gay and bisexual men - including drug use, mental health issues and the gay scene." |
Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? If you are willing to be interviewed about your experiences on TV and radio please fill in the form below. | Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? If you are willing to be interviewed about your experiences on TV and radio please fill in the form below. |