Drop in number of HIV diagnoses in Northern Ireland
Last updated 1st Dec 2020
The number of HIV diagnoses in Northern Ireland has dropped by 32 cases.
The figures emerged ahead of World Aids Day.
According to the charity Positive Life the number of people living with HIV in Northern Ireland is now around 1,182.
The latest statistics for the 2019-year show that there were 52 new diagnoses which is down from 84 in 2018.
Of the 52 new first cases of HIV diagnosed, 21 (40%) occurred through MSM (men who have sex with men) transmission, while 27 (52%) occurred through heterosexual transmission.
Meanwhile, 19 (36%) of the new diagnoses were made at a late stage.
Jacquie Richardson the Chief Executive of the organisation has welcomed the reduction in cases here, but said there are concerns of re-traumatisation during the Coronavirus pandemic.
She said: “We are hugely encouraged to see the drop in levels of new diagnoses here in the latest statistics for the 2019 calendar year.
“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.
“The constant reiteration about the spread of a virus, the global emphasis that has been placed on the race to roll out an effective vaccine and the continuous news coverage has had a significant impact on many living with HIV who have dealt with, and are dealing with, their own particular circumstances.
“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.”
According to the charity among the factors contributing to the reduction in new cases are greater levels of HIV awareness through the work of Positive Life, the availability of the PrEP drug, and the fact that advancements in medicine means, for some, that an undetectable viral load equates to HIV being untransmissible.
One the groups service user ‘Stephen’ who wished to remain anonymous said:
“For me and many others affected by HIV, this has been a period of massive anxiety.
"When the Covid outbreak started to take real effect earlier this year, the fear that it struck in me was huge.
“I had a real sense of helplessness in not knowing the impact of Covid and living with HIV.”
“When the lockdown started to spread during the first aggressive stages of transmission, I didn’t know how I was going to be able to access medication and healthcare services, or even if I could.
“After learning to live with HIV and taking care of myself for many years, this struck a fear in me that I hadn’t quite prepared for.”
“In March and April, some people were getting shielding letters while others didn’t and that caused great confusion.
"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 80’s when many of us didn’t think we’d make it.
“HIV is now a manageable life-long condition, but I’m not exaggerating when I say it set me back some years in terms of my acceptance of my own situation.”