Young indigenous men at risk
HIV rates are increasing in Cairns despite concerted efforts to reduce the disease in the highest-risk group – indigenous men aged under 30.
Last year, 26 Cairns and Hinterland health regions residents were told they had HIV. Their diagnosis brings to 96 the number of residents who have contracted the preventable disease since 2012. Statewide, 193 people were diagnosed with the disease in 2016.
The Far North region had the fourthhighest level of new notifications in the 12 months, behind Brisbane’s Metro North health region, Metro South and the Gold Coast.
HIV rates are increasing in Cairns despite concerted efforts to reduce the disease in the highest-risk group – indigenous men aged under 30.
Last year, 26 Cairns and Hinterland health regions residents were told they had HIV.
Their diagnoses brings to 96 the number of residents who have contracted the preventable disease since 2012.
The 26 new notifications follow 18 cases in 2015, 17 in 2014, 15 in 2013 and 20 in 2012.
Statewide, 193 people were diagnosed with the disease in 2016.
The Far North region had the fourth-highest level of new notifications in the 12 months, with Brisbane’s Metro North health region recording 57 cases, Metro South 37 and the Gold Coast 30.
Research shows about 68 per cent of transmissions occur among men who have sex with men; 20 per cent following heterosexual sex and 3 per cent via injecting drugs.
HIV Foundation Queensland chairman Dr Darren Russell said young indigenous males were most at risk so there was a concerted effort to increase prevention strategies in their communities.
“Everything was going well until a couple of years ago when we had an outbreak among local indigenous residents, particularly younger people,” Dr Russell said.
“We’re not seeing many other transmissions in Cairns.
“It’s really been an outbreak among the indigenous community and we’re working very hard to try and control that.
“They are sexuality-based infections and most of them are associated with male-tomale sex but there has been a female notification as well.”
People at high risk of HIV can join the state’s pre-exposure prophylaxis trial, requiring them to take a tablet a day to reduce their risk of contracting the disease.
The trial costs the health system about $750 per patient per year.
The Queensland Government was unable to quantify the annual cost of HIV on the health system, but Dr Russell said the disease rarely turned into life-limiting AIDS as it did in the 1970s and ’80s.
He said recent breakthroughs in medications prevented further health complications and the spread of the disease.
“The new treatments have virtually no side effects and one tablet a day can keep the person healthy and leading a normal life,” Dr Russell said.
Queensland Health Minister Cameron Dick said the Government hoped to reduce transmissions to zero.
“While it is great to see a reduction•in HIV notifications in some areas, there is more work to be done,” Mr Dick said.
“The Palaszczuk Government is working with non-government organisations and the community towards virtual elimination of new HIV transmissions in Queensland by 2020.”