A.I.D.S. In N.Z. A Disease Of Both Sexes (Press, 1 August 1985)
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Summary: A.I.D.S. In N.Z. A Disease Of Both Sexes (Press, 1 August 1985)
On 1 August 1985, Dr John Clements, assistant director of the Health Department in New Zealand, expressed concerns regarding the potential spread of AIDS in a way that could affect both sexes, unlike trends observed in other countries. He emphasised the necessity for health education programmes about sexual behaviour to target both males and females, particularly as New Zealand youth may be at risk during their adolescent years. Dr Clements argued that it was crucial to provide comprehensive sex education instead of avoiding the topic, suggesting that neglecting this issue could lead to increased exposure to the HIV virus among young people during their formative years. He noted that in other regions, such as America and Europe, AIDS primarily affected specific at-risk groups, largely due to the concentrated gay communities in urban areas where sexual partners are typically found within these defined populations. However, he pointed out that New Zealand's situation might be different, as there are not enough significant gay communities in most areas to create similar dynamics. He highlighted the lack of knowledge regarding the practices of male homosexuals in New Zealand, suggesting that some may identify as bisexual and have regular female sexual contacts, leading to a broader potential transmission across both sexes. This could result in AIDS becoming a widespread issue in New Zealand, presenting a public health challenge that may not follow the same patterns currently seen in countries experiencing AIDS epidemics. Dr Clements' insights stressed the urgency for targeted education and awareness about AIDS to mitigate the risk posed to the entire population.
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