HIV on the rise in Ireland

A dramatic increase of people with HIV infections has been revealed in a new study.
One of Ireland's largest HIV-Aids support groups says it is very concerned after a massive jump in the numbers contracting HIV.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), have released a study with new figures showing a 21% increase in incidents of the potentially deadly condition in the first six months of 2007.
Unprotected sex between men and women accounted for the highest number of cases, followed by drug use and sexual contact among homosexuals.

The Dublin Aids Alliance (DAA) said the figures revealed the need for a national sexual health strategy.
“The rise in diagnosis of HIV is of serious concern and reinforces the fact that continuing awareness on HIV is needed,” DAA’s Executive Director Mary O’Shea said.
“HIV among the heterosexual population is rising. People need to be aware of the risks and take the necessary precautions. The figures show that more work is required in developing sexual health and prevention strategies nationally,” she said.

The HPSC revealed 204 incidents of the potentially deadly condition were recorded in the first half of 2007 compared with 337 for the whole of 2006.
Of the 204 new cases the HPSC were able to tell the source of 150, with 53% caused by sexual contact between men and women, 21% between homosexuals and 23% among drug users.
More than 50% were men and 39% were women while the average age was 33 years.
Nationality was known in around 120 cases, with 42% born in sub-Saharan Africa and 40% in Ireland.
The majority of those who contracted the condition through heterosexual contact were of sub-Saharan origin.
In the 108 cases where geographic location was known, the majority of people - 78% – were living in Dublin, Wicklow or Kildare.

While the DAA welcomed the government’s reduction in VAT for condoms outlined in the Finance Bill, it has come up with a series of recommendations to help raise awareness of the need for better sexual health.
These include the development of a National Sexual Health Strategy modelled on the National Drugs Strategy and for primary health care to be expanded to include services for sexually transmitted diseases.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) is Ireland’s specialist agency for the surveillance of communicable diseases.
HPSC is part of the Health Service Executive, which was established on January 1st 2005 and has operational responsibility for the running of the health services in Ireland. The aim of HPSC is to improve the health of the Irish population by collating, interpreting and disseminating data in order to provide the best possible information on infectious disease. This is achieved through surveillance and independent advice, epidemiological investigation, research and training.
The HPSC works in partnership with health service providers and sister organisations around the world, to provide up to date information for the effective control of infectious diseases.
The agency was originally known as the National Disease Surveillance Centre and was set up in 1998.

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HIV on the rise in Ireland