Issued by The Dublin AIDS Alliance

For release: Friday 28^th November 2008

170 NEW DIAGNOSES OF HIV INFECTIONS IN FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR

Dublin AIDS Alliance concerned by increase in heterosexual route of transmission

The latest reported prevalence figures on HIV in Ireland show there were 170 newly diagnoses of HIV infections in Ireland during the first half of 2008. This brings to 4,951 the total number of HIV infections reported up to the end of June 2008.

Of the 170 newly diagnosed cases, probable route of transmission was known for 127 cases. Of these, 65% were acquired through heterosexual contact. Heterosexual contact accounted for 53% of cases in the same period last year. 23% were among men who have sex with men ( MSM ) and 12% were among injected drug users (IDUs).

Commenting on the figures, which were reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, The Dublin AIDS Alliance Executive Director Mary O'Shea said, “While we welcome the decrease in MSM and IDU probable route of transmission, it is alarming that HIV among the heterosexual population is rising. The Government needs to implement the HIV and AIDS Education and Prevention Plan 2008 – 2012 which was published in June 2008 as matter of urgency.

“Next Monday, 1^st December, marks the 20^th anniversary of World AIDS Day. The theme for this year’s World AIDS Day is Leadership. It is vital that Government provide resources to promote education and awareness of HIV and AIDS. The Dublin AIDS Alliance has consistently called for a National Sexual Health Strategy,” Mary O'Shea said.

The Dublin AIDS Alliance (in partnership with a number of NGOs, statutory and overseas development organisations) is a member of the Stamp out Stigma Campaign. We welcome the remarks made by the Minister for Overseas Development, Peter Power T.D., at the launch of a report earlier this week.

“I am saddened by the extent of stigma and discrimination still experienced by HIV Positive people living in Ireland today. To discriminate against people on the basis of their HIV status is an affront to human rights and compromises our efforts, both nationally and globally, to halt the spread of the epidemic,” said the Minister.

To tackle the growth in HIV, the Dublin AIDS Alliance recommends that:

·         Government develops and implements a National Sexual Health Strategy, modelled on the National Drugs Strategy.

·         The Relationship and Sexuality Education component of the Social, Personal and Health Education programme be continued into senior cycle, as it is currently limited to primary and post-primary junior cycles only.

·         VAT is totally removed from condoms.

·         Condoms are made freely available to vulnerable groups and people who cannot afford them.

·         Screening services are expanded to primary health care settings.

To mark the 20^th anniversary of, the Dublin AIDS Alliance (DAA) is hosting an event with Senator David Norris this Sunday 30^th November at Belvedere College , Dublin . Mr Norris will take the audience through James Joyce’s works from the early short stories through to the linguistic mosaic of Finnegan’s Wake. Tickets are €30 and are available from Central Ticket Bureau, www.ctb.ie. Proceeds on the night are in aid of Dublin AIDS Alliance.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Mary O’Shea, Executive Director, Dublin AIDS Alliance : (01) 873 3799 or (087) 233 3260.

Elaine Ryan at Montague Communications, (01) 830 3116 or (087) 295 1096 

Ronan Cavanagh at Montague Communications, (01) 830 3116 or (086) 317 9731

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Issued by The Dublin AIDS Alliance

News Release - June 17, 2008

Alliance Welcomes HIV and AIDS Plan

Increased resources needed to implement plan and reverse increase in HIV

The Dublin AIDS Alliance (DAA) today welcomed the publication of a national action plan aimed at reducing the rate of HIV and AIDS.

Speaking following today’s launch of the HIV and AIDS Education and Prevention Plan 2008 – 2012 the Executive Director of the DAA, Mary O'Shea there is not enough awareness or emphasis on sexual health in Ireland. Recent figures showed last year was the third consecutive year with an increase in people testing HIV positive.

“The DAA welcomes and supports the publication of the HIV and AIDS Education and Prevention Plan which provides a comprehensive blueprint for how we can reverse the worrying trend of increasing HIV in Ireland.

“We endorse the Plan’s findings that HIV prevention programmes must be of a sufficient scale and intensity to be effective and that Primary Care and other community settings should increase the availability of HIV and STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) screening and testing.

“We also support the Report’s recommendations for free condoms in targeted health settings and enhanced services for new communities in Ireland.”  

In order for the Report’s Action Plan to be implemented sexual health needs to be higher on the list of health priorities and it needs to be adequately resourced,” she said.

The Dublin AIDS Alliance also recommended:

·         The Government develop and implement a National Sexual Health Strategy, modelled on the National Drugs Strategy.

·         The Relationship and Sexuality Education component of the Social, Personal and Health Education programme be continued into senior cycle, as it is currently limited to primary and post-primary junior cycles only.

·         The full removal of VAT from condoms.

The Plan was launched today by Ms. Mary Wallace TD Minister for Health Promotion and Food Safety and was produced by the Education and Prevention sub-committee of the National AIDS Strategy Committee.

Figures reported by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) at the weekend showed a 7% increase in newly diagnosed HIV infections in 2007 compared to 2006. During 2007 there were 362 newly diagnosed HIV infections reported, compared to 337 cases in 2006 and 318 cases in 2005. 

The Dublin AIDS Alliance works to promote HIV and sexual health awareness and provides a range of services including information and advice, counselling, advocacy, community support, outreach and provision of education and training on HIV and sexual health.

 Further Information

Annmarie Brennan, Montague Communications: (01) 830 3116 or (087) 260 5896.

Mary O’Shea, Executive Director, Dublin AIDS Alliance: (01) 873 3799 or (087) 233 3260.

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June 2008 - Dublin AIDS Alliance concerned by increase in STI infections

 High rate of increases in four out of eight HSE regions

There has been a high increase in the number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in half of the country’s health regions, according to new figures reported by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.

 The figures show that four of the eight HSE regions, saw a significant increase in rates of sexually transmitted infections in 2006 compared to 2005. Data collected recorded an increase in STI notifications of 56% in the North-East, 55% in the South East, 44% in the Midlands and 31% in the North West .

 There was an increase of 0.5% in the East and a fall of 6% and 2%, in the numbers reported in the South and West respectively. Figures for the Mid West region were unavailable as the STI clinic was unable to provide aggregate STI returns. Men accounted for 63% of reported STIs while women accounted for 37%.

The Sexually Transmitted Infections 2006 report stated that while large increases have occurred in some regions it can be difficult to draw definite conclusions as services across the country vary with some areas coming from a low baseline of notifications. However, the overall trend shows STIs increasing with three times as many reported in 2006 (9,892) compared to 1995 (3,365). 

Commenting on the figures, the Executive Director of the Dublin AIDS Alliance (DAA), Mary O'Shea said, "The rise in STIs is of major concern and reinforces the fact that reinvestment in education and prevention programmes, in addition to expansion of HIV and STI screening facilities, are urgently needed. Initiatives are dependent on Government commitment to put HIV and sexual health on the political agenda.”

Ms. O’Shea expressed concern that STIs among the young population are on the rise.

“The highest numbers of reported cases of STIs were among the 20-29 year olds. 2006 saw the group account for 65% all STIs reported, compared to 63% in 2005.

“We welcome the forthcoming publication of the report of the Government sub-committee on education and prevention of the National AIDS Strategy Committee and hope that reinvestment in education and prevention will be targeted.” 

Ms. O’Shea made her comments ahead of Irish AIDS day, which takes place on 15 June.

“The most recent figures on HIV in Ireland showed a 21% increase in the rate of infections for the first half of 2007. With new figures, from the new Health Protection Surveillance Centre, due for release next week, we hope that this worrying upward trend does not continue.”

To tackle the growth in HIV/AIDs and STIs the Dublin AIDS Alliance has recommended that:

·         The Government develop and implement a National Sexual Health Strategy, modelled on the National Drugs Strategy.

·         Primary healthcare services be expanded to include services for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

·         The Relationship and Sexuality Education component of the Social, Personal and Health Education programme be continued into senior cycle, as it is currently limited to primary and post-primary junior cycles only.

 The DAA welcomed the recent reduction of VAT on condoms from 21% to 13.5% but said that this measure did not go far enough.

 “VAT should be fully removed from condoms. The promotion of sexual health is vital as HIV and STI can be prevented among vulnerable and at risk groups,” Ms. O’Shea said.

 The major reported infections included genital warts, chlamydia, genital herpes and gonorrhoea. Ano-genital warts, (35%), Chlamydia (32%) and non-specific urethritis (22%) accounted for 89% of all infections. The largest increase was in notifications of gonorrhoea which increased by 26% and accounts for 4% of total STIs. Syphilis fell by 53% to just over 1% of notifications.

 The Dublin AIDs Alliance works to promote HIV and sexual health awareness and provides a range of services including information and advice, counselling, advocacy, community support, outreach and provision of education and training on HIV and sexual health.

Further Information

Annmarie Brennan, Montague Communications: (01) 830 3116 or (087) 260 896.

Mary O’Shea, Executive Director, Dublin AIDS Alliance : (01) 873 3799 or (087) 233 3260.

Issued by The Dublin AIDS Alliance

Press Release

February 26, 2008

21% increase in HIV infections in 2007

Dublin AIDS Alliance concerned by increase in

HIV infections

The latest prevalence figures on HIV in Ireland , show an increase in newly diagnosed HIV infections of 21% in the first half of 2007 compared to 2006.

During the first six months of 2007 there were 204 newly diagnosed HIV infections reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) compared to 337 cases in the 12 months of 2006.  

Commenting on the figures, Executive Director of Dublin AIDS Alliance (DAA), Mary O'Shea, said, "The rise in diagnosis of HIV is of serious concern and reinforces the fact that continuing awareness on HIV is needed.”

Of the 204 newly diagnosed cases the route of transmission was known for 150 cases and 53% of these were acquired through heterosexual contact, 23% were among Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) and 21% from male to male sexual contact.

Ms. O’Shea said that: “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 geographic origin was known in 121 of the cases and of these 42% were born in sub-Saharan Africa and 40% were born in Ireland . Of the 79 cases acquired through heterosexual contact, 60% were born in sub-Saharan Africa . Of the 108 cases where area of residence was known, 78% were resident in Dublin , Wicklow, or Kildare.

Of the newly diagnosed cases 54% were male, 39% female and the gender was unknown in 7%. The average age at diagnosis was 33 years.

To tackle the growth in HIV the Dublin AIDS Alliance recommends that:

·         The Government develop and implement a National Sexual Health Strategy, modelled on the National Drugs Strategy.

·         Primary healthcare services be expanded to include services for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

·         The Relationship and Sexuality Education component of the Social, Personal and Health Education programme be continued into senior cycle, as it is currently limited to primary and post-primary junior cycles only.

The DAA welcomed the recent reduction of VAT on condoms from 21% to 13.5% but said that this measure did not go far enough. “VAT should be fully removed from condoms, in order to do as much as possible to encourage their use to combat the spread of STIs among vulnerable and at risk groups,” Ms. O’Shea said.

DAA is part the Stamp out Stigma campaign which is challenging stigma and discrimination against HIV Positive people in Ireland and would encourage Government to continue funding this important work.

Further Information

Annmarie Brennan, Montague Communications: (01) 830 3116 or (087) 260 896.

Ronan Cavanagh, Montague Communications: (01) 830 3116 or (086) 317 9731.

Montague Communications

3 Prospect Road

Glasnevin

Dublin 9

Tel: 01 8303116 /  Fax: 01 8304362 / Mobile: 086 317 9731

www.montaguecomms.ie

rcavanagh@montaguecomms.ie