Vol. 561 No. 1
433 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will report on the growing numbers of heterosexual women becoming infected with HIV, as found by the national disease surveillance unit, which stated that almost three quarters of the 157 new cases of HIV diagnosed here from January 2002 were heterosexuals; the reasons for this trend; and his plans to address the problem. [3776/03]
The most recent statistics on HIV and AIDS in Ireland published by the national disease surveillance centre, NDSC, are those in relation to the period from January to June 2002. These show that a total of 157 new cases of HIV were diagnosed in Ireland in the first six months of 2002. A total of 110, 70%, of these were diagnosed among heterosexuals. Men who have sex with men, MSM, accounted for 18, 11%, of the newly diagnosed cases. Among injecting drug users, IDUs, there were 14 new cases of HIV. A total of 97, 62%, of all new diagnoses were female. Of the 110 new cases in the heterosexual category 86, 78%, were female. Prevalence among IDUs has reduced from greater than 50% of overall figures in the 1980s to 12.7% of overall figures in 2001. However, recent figures reflect an upward trend in HIV diagnoses in the heterosexual category.
Since July 2001, data has also been collected by geographic origin. Among the 110 heterosexual cases diagnosed between January and June of last year 80, 73%, were of sub-Saharan African origin. Of the cases born in sub-Saharan Africa, 77% were female. Routine linked antenatal HIV testing, which was introduced in 1999, identifies women with HIV at an early stage in pregnancy and reduces the risk of their baby's acquiring HIV. Since the introduction of this testing programme the perinatal transmission rate, where the positive HIV status of the mother is known antenatally has been less than 2%. The report of the national AIDS strategy committee, which was published in 2000, makes a range of recommendations for dealing with HIV and AIDS over the coming years. My Department, through the national AIDS strategy committee and its sub-committees on education and prevention, surveillance, care and management, is currently working to implement these recommendations.
The education and prevention sub-committee of NASC is, as part of its work programme for this year, developing a knowledge, attitudes and belief survey in relation to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. This sub-committee is also currently looking at the development of culturally appropriate awareness materials in respect of HIV and AIDS. Health boards undertake information and awareness activities at regional level and among the issues addressed is the prevention of STIs, including HIV. Health boards work in conjunction with and fund voluntary organisations who work with people who are HIV positive. A number of health boards are also in the process of developing sexual health strategies. These strategies will guide the future direction of services and programmes in their areas.
The health promotion unit of my Department is also involved in and supports a range of initiatives aimed at preventing and raising awareness of STIs. These initiatives include a national public awareness advertising campaign to promote sexual health which is aimed at men and women in the 18 to 35 age group. The campaign, which has been running for several years in third level colleges, bars, clubs and youth clubs, has recently been revised by the health promotion unit and now targets an increased number of venues. In addition, the unit produces a range of awareness-raising leaflets on HIV and other STIs and safe sex practices. These are available through health promotion departments in each health board area.
