‘Greater awareness’ has helped reduce number of new HIV cases
Recent diagnoses reduced to 52 but over 1,000 people here living with it
ALMOST 1,200 people are living with HIV in Northern Ireland, according to figures released by support charity Positive Life.
New statistics show that there were 52 new diagnoses here in 2019 but that has dropped from 84 cases in 2018.
Positive Life, Northern Ireland’s only dedicated charity supporting people living with HIV, released the figures to coincide with World AIDS Day, which takes place today.
During 2019, of the 52 new cases of HIV diagnosed here, 21 (40%) occurred through same sex transmission, while 27 (52%) occurred through heterosexual transmission.
Nineteen (36%) of the new HIV diagnoses were made at a late stage.
This brings the total number of people with HIV in Northern
Ireland to 1,182.
Among the factors contributing to the reduction in new cases, according to Positive Life, are greater levels of HIV awareness and the availability of the preventative PREP drug. Advancements in medicine means, for some, that an undetectable viral load equates to HIV being untransmittible.
While welcoming the drop in the number of new HIV cases, chief executive of Positive Life Jacquie Richardson said there is real concern around the Covid-19 pandemic and the re-traumatisation of people living with HIV.
“We are hugely encouraged to see the drop in levels of new diagnoses here in the latest statistics for the 2019 calendar year,” she said.
“It has been many years in coming so it is important to acknowledge the work that has gone in to reducing numbers.
“The massive problem we are now facing is the demand for our services which has, in some months, increased five-fold as people affected by HIV face the real impact of the setback caused by Covid from a trauma perspective.”
Ms Richardson noted that the global emphasis placed on Covid-19 has had a significant impact on many living with HIV, dealing with their own particular circumstances.
She added that HIV is still a “highly stigmatised” issue in Northern Ireland.
“Even before the Covid pandemic, many service users of Positive Life had felt rejected from society due to their status, with many being unnecessarily reliant on welfare payments unable to find employment; having difficulty in accessing services; and being able to lead fulfilling lives, due to crippling prejudice,” Ms Richardson added.
One Positive Life service user, who wished to remain anonymous, said the Covid-19 crisis has been a period of huge anxiety for those living with HIV.
“In March and April, some people were getting shielding letters while others didn’t and that caused great confusion,” he explained. “I know many people were panicking when they didn’t receive letters and it still has not been fully explained.
“The entire situation brought with it a whole host of triggers for trauma memories, feelings of vulnerability, uncertainty, and danger.
“This felt so much worse that the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the 80s when many of us didn’t think we’d make it.”