Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 18 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 7

Written Answers. - HIV/AIDS Incidence.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

59 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will report on the incidence of HIV and AIDS; the trends in relation to numbers, age profile and source of infection; his views on the adequacy of detection, treatment services and clinical experience of medical personnel working in this field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23951/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

Up to the end of June 1998 a total of 1,912 people have tested HIV positive. The total number of cases of AIDS is 647 and out of this 328 people have died. Approximately 30 new cases of HIV are reported per quarter. For the 18 month period January 1997 to June 1998, the virus reference laboratory confirmed 181 new cases of HIV. Of this group 125 were male and 55 were female, giving a male/female ratio of 2.3:1.

The main risk categories for infection in males were: homosexual, representing 46 per cent of new cases in males; heterosexual/risk unspecified, representing 20 per cent of new cases in males; and intravenous drug user, representing 18.5 per cent of new cases in males. The main risk categories for infection in females were: heterosexual/risk unspecified, representing 64 per cent of new cases in females; children at risk, representing 14 per cent of new cases in females; and intravenous drug users, representing 11 per cent of new cases in females.

Regarding age, of the 62 new cases of HIV in the six month period January to June, 1998 the average age in various risk groups was as follows:

	Male	Female
Intravenous drug users	32	40
Homosexual	31	–
Heterosexual	44	30

Children at risk ranged in age from one day to ten years.

The decline in incidence among IV drug users may in part be due to the huge expansion in drug treatment services in the Eastern Health Board. Figures would indicate that the board's strategy of needle exchange/methadone maintenance is proving effective in reducing the incidence of HIV among drug misusers. Figures would also indicate that homosexual spread among males and heterosexual spread among females are now the most common modes of transmission of HIV.

I am satisfied with the adequacy of detection and treatment services. People, who consider they have put themselves at risk of infection with HIV can have a HIV test through their general practitioner or in STD or drug treatment clinics. The clinical management of HIV/AIDS is overseen by consultants in infectious diseases in St. James's Hospital, the Mater/Beaumont, Our Lady's Hospital Crumlin and Cork University Hospital.