There are now 53,000 adults living with HIV/AIDS in the UK, over a quarter of whom (14,300) remain unaware of their infection according to the Health Protection Agency's annual report on HIV.
Dr Kevin Fenton, a co-author of the report commented: “World AIDS Day is time to reflect on how HIV/AIDS is an increasing problem in the UK, as in the rest of the world. There were 6,606 new infections diagnosed in the UK during 2003, 58% (3801) of these were amongst heterosexuals, with gay and bisexual men accounting for 26% (1735).
”This increase in the number of newly diagnosed infections is the result of a combination of factors, but is largely contributed to by the migration of people from areas of the world where there is a high prevalence of HIV, such as sub-Saharan Africa. The number of new infections diagnosed in gay and bisexual men is expected to be the highest for over 10 years, with 1,735 diagnoses reported so far for 2003. In addition, the number of heterosexual HIV diagnoses likely to have been acquired in this country has increased from 139 in 1998 to 341 in 2003.
”The theme of our report is “Focus on Prevention”, as prevention is key in reducing the burden of HIV and other STIs. The Agency is involved in a number of activities, which help to prevent infections:
- In England, the antenatal HIV screening programme has led to about 90% of HIV-infected pregnant women being diagnosed prior to giving birth, this reduces the chance of a baby being born with HIV;
- Eighty-five percent (5598/6553) of hepatitis B-susceptible gay men who attended genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinics in England have received the first dose of a three dose vaccination;
- Results from the National Chlamydia Screening Programme show that just over 10% of people screened in healthcare settings outside of GUM clinics were infected with chlamydia, and highlights the benefits of testing people who have no symptoms, therefore enabling their infections to be treated. The Government's White Paper announced last week that this screening programme would be extended across the whole of England by March 2007.
”These schemes are just one part of the crucial three-pronged approach to prevention, which involves sexual health education, opportunities to screen those with no symptoms, and early diagnosis and treatment of those infected. It is vital that such prevention measures are targeted at those groups most at risk from HIV and STIs, including gay men, black and ethnic minorities, and young people.