Mon 19 Oct 2009 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
The risk of anal transmission of HIV appears to be more associated with the presence and concentration of vulnerable cells than to low level physical damage associated with anal sex, according to information presented to a sexual health conference at the weekend. The HIV virus Anal sex, sexually transmitted infections among gay men, and biological infection risk factors were hot topics at the 21st NZ Sexual Health Society conference which convened in Paihia. Last year saw the highest ever annual number of HIV diagnoses among homosexual men in New Zealand, with HIV+ diagnoses for 91 men who have sex with men infected within New Zealand. HIV and other sexual health issues affecting gay men were therefore one of the central themes of the Paihia conference. The global trend of sexually transmitted infections disproportionately affecting gay men was highlighted by Dr David Templeton from Australia, followed by NZAF Research Director Tony Hughes' review of the science surrounding anal intercourse, and why it poses such a uniquely high risk for HIV transmission. Delegates heard that, contrary to common beliefs that small tears or bleeding were mainly to blame for the high HIV infection risk of anal sex, it is more likely to be caused by biological factors such as the presence and concentration of cells which are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection. Dr Peter Saxton from the NZAF Research Unit shared findings on which groups of gay men were less likely to use condoms for casual sex and who was less likely to test for HIV. He also vigorously challenged the NZ public health system to improve monitoring of sexually transmitted infections among gay men in this country. "Without routine surveillance data we can't identify outbreaks among gay men and aren't able to respond in a timely way. You can't manage what you don’t measure," said Saxton. Quinton Hiini, also of the NZAF, described safe sex initiatives targeting men who have sex with men. The Foundation's just-launched Get it On! condom campaign was also a hot topic of discussion during the breaks, with the branded t-shirts proving especially popular.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 19th October 2009 - 10:43pm