London-based charity GMFA have urged gay and bisexual men to check their HIV status, this World AIDS Day.
The move comes after the Health Protection Agency's report that more than one in four gay men with HIV remain unaware of their infection.
According to the study, an estimated 40,000 men who have sex with men in the UK were living with HIV in 2010, 26 per cent of whom were unaware of their infection.
Out of those diagnosed in 2010, 39 per cent were diagnosed late (CD4 count
<350 cells/mm3) and 18 per cent very late (<200). A late diagnosis
increases the risk of dying within a year 10-fold compared to those
diagnosed promptly.
Late diagnosis can result in poorer health outcomes and can contribute to the onward transmission of HIV.
Matthew Hodson, Head of Programmes at GMFA, the gay men’s health charity, told PinkPaper.com: “The numbers of gay men getting tested has increased over recent years but there are still too many gay men who are unaware that they have been infected with HIV. If you have HIV, early diagnosis means that you can access the treatment and care that can dramatically increase your life expectancy.
“GMFA recommends that all sexually active gay men get tested at least once a year – and more if they have had any unprotected sex. Knowing your HIV status is the first of the five Count Me In actions, which combined can help stop the spread of HIV in our community. We urge gay men to test regularly, to take control of their health and to take responsibility for safer sex.”
Information about GMFA’s Count Me In campaign can be found at www.youcancountmein.org.uk.
‘Stop HIV’, a new booklet which takes a detailed look at the five ‘Count Me In’ actions and provides information on HIV testing, disclosure, condom use, sexual risks and PEP will be distributed to London’s gay venues from today.
The booklet can be viewed at www.gmfa.org.uk/stopHIV.
