This month is the New Zealand AIDS Foundation’s National HIV Testing Month, focusing on testing and raising awareness of the importance of testing in HIV prevention. The NZAF say that testing is critical for those in communities most affected by HIV, which in New Zealand is gay and bisexual men, a group over-represented in new HIV diagnoses each year. Shaun Robinson, Executive Director of the NZAF says “It all starts with testing; we need to significantly increase rates of HIV testing, particularly among those gay and bisexual men who have had unprotected sex with casual partners.” The organisation believes gay and bisexual men may not get tested for fear of the stigma of an HIV diagnosis, they feel they are healthy or they believe the testing process is too much hassle. New data from Otago University’s AIDS Epidemiology Group estimates that around 600 people - the majority being gay and bisexual men - live with HIV and don’t know it. NZAF’s new HIV Prevention strategy places significant focus on ‘test and treat’, alongside existing and new primary prevention measures, to reduce new HIV transmissions among gay and bisexual men in New Zealand. “Test and treat is recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). WHO guidelines are that anyone diagnosed with HIV should begin antiretroviral treatment as soon as possible after diagnosis,” says Robinson. NZAF and local sexual health clinics are available around New Zealand to provide free and confidential HIV testing. To book an appointment visit www.gettested.co.nz
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 3rd May 2016 - 2:02pm