FROM THE
MINISTER FOR HEALTH
DATE:
Thursday, March 8, 2007
VIGILANCE NEEDED AS HIV RATES INCREASE
Unprotected sex, particularly between homosexual men, is still the leading cause of HIV infection in Victoria in 2006, Health Minister Bronwyn Pike said today.
“New figures show for 2006 there were 334 notifications of HIV in Victoria,” Ms Pike said.
“Of the 264 new notifications, more than 240 people were exposed through sexual contact.
“Using condoms together with water-based lubricants remains the best way for people to protect themselves from HIV. People need to remember that if it’s not on, it’s not on.”
Ms Pike said the 2006 figures showed a 17 per cent increase in infections since 2005. However, the increase in new local infections is nine percent when cases which were previously diagnosed interstate or internationally is removed.
“Victoria’s rising infection rate, which is mirroring rates in some other Australian cities and internationally, means the Government must redouble its effort in battling HIV,” Ms Pike said.
“We need to refocus on the most effective ways of getting practical safe-sex messages to those who are most likely to be at risk of contracting HIV.
“In response to concerns about these increases, the Bracks Government has boosted funding by $2.7 million towards new programs raising awareness about HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and also improving treatment for affected people.
In addition to HIV, notifications in Victoria of sexually transmissible infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis are also increasing. The presence of STIs makes an individual more susceptible to the transmission of HIV should they come into contact with an infected person.
Ms Pike said condoms were the best way of preventing sexually transmitted infections.
“Safe sex is about more than just contraception, it’s also about maintaining good sexual health,” she said.
New actions already underway include:
·
Two new Victorian AIDS Council campaigns about HIV and STI transmission;
·
The
Think Again
campaign being widely distributed by People Living with HIV/AIDS Victoria encourages people not to make assumptions about their sexual partners HIV status;
·
Finalisation of a Gay Men’s HIV and STI Action Plan; and
·
HIV treatment specialists advised of the need for increased STI testing in gay men;
Ms Pike said a selection process is nearing completion for a new large-scale community HIV and STI health promotion initiative for gay men and also for additional STI prevention initiatives for youth.
“The campaigns will raise individual awareness of good sexual health and the need to use a range of strategies to avoid infection,” she said.
Year
Number of HIV notifications
in Victoria
2006
334
2005
285
2004
222
2003
225
2002
232
2001
218
2000
198
1999
140
1998
149
1997
188
1996
191
1995
179
1994
220
1993
235
1992
264
1991
317
1990
305
1989
329
1988
289
1987
339
1986
349
1985
526
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