Nearly one in 10 of new HIV cases in Scotland were reported in Tayside or Fife last year, new figures reveal.
The latest report on blood-borne viruses and sexually-transmitted infections report by Health Protection Scotland revealed there were 360 new cases of people who were HIV positive last year, down nearly 70 from the year before. Twenty-six were in Tayside and nine in Fife.
Despite the falling rate of new cases, charity HIV Scotland warned the figures could be misleading because many people could be unaware they are living with the condition. Of the last year’s new cases nearly three-quarters were among men (251) and more than half of these cases (130) were the result of sexual intercourse between men.
But the biggest proportion of new cases (151) was caused through heterosexual relationships 66 new male cases and 85 female cases. Drug users sharing needles led to 19 new cases.
Scotland has 6613 people diagnosed as HIV positive. More than a quarter (1783) have died. The total number who have then developed AIDS is 1631 1280 of whom have died.
HIV Scotland chief executive Roy Kilpatrick said the testing rate for gay men had tripled in recent years but is still patchy across the country.
“The sooner someone knows that they are HIV positive the better,” he said. “Undiagnosed HIV infection is costly, presents a risk for onward transmission and denies individuals the benefit of early interventions to improve health and wellbeing.
“Capacity to respond to this depends on local responses to promote testing within generic health settings. We urge GPs in particular to take opportunities to build their skills and competences needed to improve HIV diagnosis and care.”
Richard McIntosh is senior specialist in blood-borne virus and sexual health with NHS Tayside. He said, “There has been an increase in HIV in recent years and the best way to avoid sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, is to use a condom. In Tayside we have a comprehensive range of education, screening and testing services, as well as outreach clinics in communities to tackle STIs.
“We actively encourage people who think they may have been exposed to an STI, even if they do not have any symptoms, to come along to one of our clinics. By doing that and identifying new episodes of infection we can treat the individual and ensure they cannot go on to unintentionally infect others.
“NHS Tayside offers a range of services for anyone who needs advice or emergency contraception at the sexual and reproductive health clinic on level 7 of Ninewells Hospital.”
Visit www.sexualhealthtayside.org for more information.
An NHS Fife spokeswoman said, “In line with the HIV national action plan, NHS Fife is working on further development for testing, treatment and care services for patients.”
Photo used under a Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user Hi! Rorro.