STI’s on the rise in Australia
December 3, 2012
AUSTRALIA is facing increasing
numbers of sexually transmissible
infections, including an 8% increase
in new HIV infections.
The figure comes from the 2012
Annual Surveillance Report of HIV,
viral hepatitis and sexually
transmissible infections in Australia
by the Kirby Institute, which also
estimated that 15-30% of people
with HIV remain undiagnosed.
Other data included in the report
showed that between a 3-5% of
Australia's youth are infected with
chlamydia, whilst up to half a
million of them remain
undiagnosed.
Rates of gonorrhoea have also
increased.
The report’s findings are
particularly interesting given
Australia’s recent commitment to
reduce rates of HIV infections by
50% in the next three years.
In the wake of the report, the
Australasian HIV Society for
Medicine (ASHM) is encouraging
health care professionals to discuss
STI testing with their patients.
“We cannot rely on patients alone
to initiate testing,” said ASHM CEO
Levinia Crooks.
“Diagnosing HIV early is a priority
as this is when the infection is most
contagious.
“Catching the infection during this
stage, known as seroconversion,
means people will know their HIV
status and can prevent onward
transmission by taking appropriate
precautions.
“But without testing they won't
know their status,” she added.
To support healthcare
professionals initiate testing
conversations, ASHM has
developed a range of resources,
including a Testing Portal- with
information about testing,
informed consent and delivering
results to patients; as well as
publications such as Decisionmaking
in HIV and the GPs and HIV
booklet, and the HIV online
learning module and unique Time
of HIV Diagnosis Program.
For details see
http://testingportal.ashm.org.au/.
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