Health

Today sees the launch of a new report called Testing targets: findings from the United Kingdom Gay Men’s Sex Survey. The survey was carried out by Sigma Research and commissioned by Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), on behalf of the CHAPS partnership. It is the largest survey of its kind in the world, with over 6,000 men taking part.

The findings indicate a big increase in the number of gay men who have ever had an HIV test. Whereas less than half of all men surveyed in 2002 said they’d ever tested for HIV, the latest findings shows that 66% of men confirmed they have had an HIV test.

Among men that had ever tested, one-in-seven (15.2%) had tested positive for HIV infection. Testing for HIV and testing positive for HIV were most common among men living in London, men in their 30s and 40s and men with 30 or more male partners in the last year. However, testing and testing positive was common among all groups of gay men and in all regions of the UK. 

Read more: Gay Men’s Sex Survey reveals that two thirds of men have had an HIV test

New sex and relationships education service to offer online, text and face to face support for young people in London.

Terrence Higgins Trust has been awarded £432,000 by the Big Lottery Fund’s Young People’s Fund 2 programme to offer sexual health counselling, mentoring support and volunteering opportunities for 10 – 18 year olds in London. Support will be offered online, via text and through face to face counselling. 

The working title of the project, chosen in consultation with young people, is T2T (an abbreviation of Talk to Terry) but the final name will be selected by a young people’s executive group. The executive group will help design, implement and deliver the service. The three year project will begin in September 2009 and is aimed at young people who are concerned about sex, sexuality, relationships, sexual health and sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) as well as the wider range of issues that impact their lives.

Read more: Sex Education by Text Service Wins Funding

The Department of Health has explained that the most at risk will be given vaccine priority, this includes people living with HIV.

Jason Warriner, Director of Clinical Services for Terrence Higgins Trust said, "We welcome the news that people living with HIV will be among the first to be offered the vaccination against swine flu. If you want to know more about whether the vaccination might be helpful for you, speak to your HIV clinic or contact the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513."

The priority groups who will be first in line for vaccination against swine flu will include pregnant women, frontline health and social care workers, and everyone in at-risk groups aged over six months, Health Secretary Andy Burnham announced today.

This follows advice from independent experts on who should be first in line for vaccination. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation reviewed the evidence and advised the Department of Health on the crucial risk groups to be offered vaccination in order to reduce the rate or possibility of serious illness. This advice was also scrutinised and endorsed by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).

Read more: People with HIV included in Swine Flu Vaccine Program

On Tuesday September 1, Terrence Higgins Trust is launching a course of workshops for gay men who feel they are losing control when it comes to drugs and or alcohol. The group will take place each Tuesday for 8 weeks from 6.30 – 9pm in Central London.

The ‘Are you losing control?’ group aims to help people who feel that their drug/alcohol use is having a negative impact on their lives. It is led by expert facilitators who have training to deal with addiction issues.

Gordon Mundie, Group work co-ordinator at THT said “We know that many gay men take drugs and drink alcohol but some feel that what started as fun is out of control. Perhaps they are beginning to feel they need alcohol to have a good time, they feel guilty or ashamed after using or they are only having sex when they are on drugs. If this sounds like it might apply to you, or you are just worried you might have a problem, then this course could help.  Please get in touch to find out more.”

Read more: Are you losing control?

Gorillas have been found, for the first time, to be a source of HIV.

Previous research had shown the HIV-1 strain, the main source of human infections, with 33m cases worldwide, originated from a virus in chimpanzees. But researchers have now discovered an HIV infection in a Cameroonian woman which is clearly linked to a gorilla strain, Nature Medicine reports.

A researcher told the BBC that, though it was a new type of HIV, current drugs might still help combat its effects. HIV originated from a similar virus in chimpanzees called Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV).

Although HIV/Aids was first recognised by scientists in the 1980s, it is thought to have first entered the human population early in the 20th Century in the region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The virus probably originally jumped into humans after people came into contact with infected bush meat. SIV viruses have been reported in other primates, including gorillas.

Read more: Gorillas Found with HIV Strain