The latest report from the University of Otago’s AIDS Epidemiology Group has focused on HIV in the Pacific, their first such report on the region since August 2005.
The Pacific region, which includes Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia, presents many challenges for the prevention of HIV including diverse cultures, political systems and geographic isolation. The New Zealand AIDS Foundation (NZAF) is a key partner in preventing the transmission of HIV across the region, and has a keen interest in the latest figures.
The Pacific region, which includes Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia, presents many challenges for the prevention of HIV including diverse cultures, political systems and geographic isolation. The New Zealand AIDS Foundation (NZAF) is a key partner in preventing the transmission of HIV across the region, and has a keen interest in the latest figures.
According to the report, by the end of 2009 a total of 29,713 people had been diagnosed with HIV in Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. However, the report shows that there are considerable differences between HIV rates within the region. A huge concern to the NZAF is the high HIV cumulative diagnosis per 100,000 people in Papua New Guinea: 711, (compared to a figure of just over 98 in New Zealand), which has 28,294 HIV (including AIDS) reported diagnoses. However, some nations, such as Cook Islands, American Samoa, Vanuatu and Tokelau have less than five diagnosed HIV (including AIDS) cases.
The report concludes that overall, excluding Papua New Guinea, HIV prevalence in the Pacific region remains relatively low. However, STI prevalence is high, indicating unprotected sexual activity. “This is a worry,” says NZAF Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier “as unprotected sexual activity, particularly for anal sex, is the main route of HIV transmission, and the risk of acquiring HIV is higher when STIs are prevalent. One factor to consider when looking at these figures is that the extent of HIV testing across the region is unknown.
“The international development work of the NZAF plays a key part in the reducing the rates of HIV transmission among the people most at risk in the Pacific. We have strong relationships with key regional organisations including the Tonga Leitis’ Association (TLA) and Samoa AIDS Foundation (SAF). Just last week we had representatives from the TLA, SAF and Pacific Sexual Diversity Network visiting us to develop our three year plan to increase the sexual health and wellbeing of men who have sex with men in the Pacific.”
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Note to journalists: A PDF of the full report is available from the Communications Office.
For further comment please contact:
Dawn O’Connor
National Communications Co‐ordinator
New Zealand AIDS Foundation | Te Tūāpapa Mate Āraikore o Aotearoa
p| 09 300 6965 m| 021 741 604
e| .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
According to the report, by the end of 2009 a total of 29,713 people had been diagnosed with HIV in Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. However, the report shows that there are considerable differences between HIV rates within the region. A huge concern to the NZAF is the high HIV cumulative diagnosis per 100,000 people in Papua New Guinea: 711, (compared to a figure of just over 98 in New Zealand), which has 28,294 HIV (including AIDS) reported diagnoses. However, some nations, such as Cook Islands, American Samoa, Vanuatu and Tokelau have less than five diagnosed HIV (including AIDS) cases.
The report concludes that overall, excluding Papua New Guinea, HIV prevalence in the Pacific region remains relatively low. However, STI prevalence is high, indicating unprotected sexual activity. “This is a worry,” says NZAF Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier “as unprotected sexual activity, particularly for anal sex, is the main route of HIV transmission, and the risk of acquiring HIV is higher when STIs are prevalent. One factor to consider when looking at these figures is that the extent of HIV testing across the region is unknown.
“The international development work of the NZAF plays a key part in the reducing the rates of HIV transmission among the people most at risk in the Pacific. We have strong relationships with key regional organisations including the Tonga Leitis’ Association (TLA) and Samoa AIDS Foundation (SAF). Just last week we had representatives from the TLA, SAF and Pacific Sexual Diversity Network visiting us to develop our three year plan to increase the sexual health and wellbeing of men who have sex with men in the Pacific.”
####
Note to journalists: A PDF of the full report is available from the Communications Office.
For further comment please contact:
Dawn O’Connor
National Communications Co‐ordinator
New Zealand AIDS Foundation | Te Tūāpapa Mate Āraikore o Aotearoa
p| 09 300 6965 m| 021 741 604
e| .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
