By Newsdesk
Saturday, 16 February 2013.
New HIV infections rose in men who
have sex with men (MSM) between 1990 and 2010 in the UK, driven by a 26 per
cent increase in the proportion having condomless sex, according to new
research by the Health Protection Agency and University College London (UCL). However, the findings suggest the increase in
new infections would have been 68 per cent greater without the introduction of
antiretrovirals (ART) in the same period, and 400 per cent greater if MSM
condom use had ceased entirely from 2000 onwards..
Professor Andrew Phillips, lead investigator at
UCL, said: “We created a model reconstructing the HIV epidemic in men who have
sex with men in the UK. In doing so, we were able to explore the interplay
between HIV testing rates, antiretroviral treatment and sexual behaviour on HIV
transmission and incidence. By better understanding the driving forces behind
the trends we’ve seen in the past, it will allow us to make informed choices to
reduce new HIV infections in the future.”
Dr Valerie Delpech, head of HIV surveillance at the
HPA, said: “Our research provides important evidence to support current UK
public health recommendations on expanded HIV testing and higher levels of ART
coverage, to reduce new infections among men who have sex with men. However,
we see it is also vital condom use education continues as not only does this
have a strong limiting effect on the HIV epidemic, but only a modest increase
in unprotected sex is enough to erode the benefits of other interventions”.
Estimated HIV incidence rose from 0.30 per 100
person years (1990-1997) to 0.53 (2006-2010), associated with increased
condomless sex following the introduction of effective ART. However, exploring
other scenarios, the research found incidence would have reduced during this
period if HIV testing levels had been higher (25 per cent lower incidence), if
ART had been prescribed at diagnosis (32 per cent lower incidence) or these
interventions had been combined (62 per cent lower incidence). Effective ART
therapy reduces the infectivity of HIV positive individuals, lowering
transmission risk.
Dr Delpech, HPA, continued: “Everyone should use a
condom when having sex with new or casual partners, until all partners have had
a sexual health screen. We also encourage men who have sex with men to get an
HIV and STI screen at least annually, and every three months if having
condomless sex with new or casual partners – and clinicians to take every
opportunity to recommend HIV testing to this group. Through combining earlier
and more frequent HIV testing, programmes that reduce unsafe sexual behaviour
and higher levels of ART coverage for those requiring it, we could
substantially reduce HIV transmission in this group.”
Send to a friend |
View/Hide Comments (0) |
