pdf - Gay Health Network
Transcription
pdf - Gay Health Network
Quarterly Newsletter From Gay Health Network (GHN) ISSUE 17 | December 2012 ON THE ONE ROAD MINISTER LAUNCHES “TRANSLATING MAN2MAN” TO MARK WORLD AIDS DAY 2012. Alex White TD, Minister for Primary Care launched the translating Man2Man Exhibition at Outhouse on 30th November. The exhibition which is open to the public from December 1st World AIDS Day to January 6th 2013 will show the Man2Man Posters and Films in nine languages. In launching the Exhibition the Minister recognised that HIV among MSM was the largest mode of transmission in the country and continued to be a matter for particular concern. “It was therefore very timely and relevant that the HIV Prevention & Sexual Health Awareness Programme was conducted, as it targeted younger MSMs with programme messages and designs driven by their peer groups, and aimed at raising awareness, building self-esteem and equipping men to be able to make safer sex choices. And now that the year is drawing to a close we are here today to launch the Translating Man2Man Exhibition which will showcase the programme materials in each of the 9 languages in which they were presented”. The programme is in line with the Education and Prevention sub-committee of the National AIDS Strategy Committee’s Education and Prevention Plan, 2008 – 2012. It is also consistent with the principles of the HSE’s Intercultural Health Strategy. the translations possible and along with the Social Inclusion Unit Dublin City Council (DCC) and Outhouse in making this exhibition possible. GHN is working with DCC to have the exhibition shown at venues around Dublin and with other groups to travel the exhibition around the country. Diane Nurse (HSE National Social Inclusion Office) said “we welcome initiatives such as this which make visible the ethnic and cultural diversity that exists in Ireland. This project is aligned with the principles of the HSE National Intercultural Health Strategy in respect of addressing needs of socially excluded groups and highlights the importance of translation in enhancing access to information”. Speaking to GHN, Dr. Nazih Eldin (Manager, Health Promotion HSE) said the HSE very much appreciated the work of GHN and especially the volunteer models, the production crew, the Belongto Peer Group along with Outhouse, a vital LGBT community centre, for making this programme and exhibition possible. “This exhibition further enhances the messages and continues the community participation in the programme” Alex White TD - Minister for Primary Care, Diane - Nurse HSE National Social Inclusion Office and Dr. Nazih Eldin - Manager, Health Promotion HSE. The significant numbers of those MSM diagnosed with HIV and the increase in STIs such as Gonorrhoea shows how imperative a programme such as this, takes place countrywide. In the meantime the HSE and GHN will continue their important engagement and we will meet soon to develop the next part of the programme, to promote HIV prevention, sexual health awareness among all MSM in Ireland and encourage safer sex”. Speaking about the National Sexual Health Strategy the Minister said, I am pleased to note that the Gay Health Network (GHN) are involved in the development of the this strategy through participation of representatives from its member organisations. The strategy will be in line with the forthcoming Framework for Health and Wellbeing which will provide a policy framework that addresses the wider determinants of health and health inequalities on the Strategy working groups. Bob Jordan (Board Member of Outhouse) welcomed the Minister and participants to the building and said Outhouse was delighted to be part of this exhibition and the programme. GHN thanked the minister and saw the event as “continuing our partnership with the DOHC in promoting HIV prevention and sexual health awareness and we looked forward to meeting the Minister in the near future. GHN particularly welcome the support of the HSE Social Inclusion Office for making View the videos on www.youtube.com/man2manireland. View the posters on www.man2man.ie. ON THE ONE ROAD | www.ghn.ie | email: info@ghn.ie | PAGE 01 TO REMEMBER AND CELEBRATE On 1st Dec World AIDS Day 2012 the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Naoise O Muiri opened the Remembrance and Celebration event for those who have died and for those who live with HIV at St Werburgh’s Church, Dublin 8. Supported by the Social Inclusion Unit, Dublin City Council, members of Positive Now, Gloria and the Christchurch Choir, Lee Butler and traditional musicians contributed to the event. THE HPSC HIV QUARTERLY REPORT, QUARTER 3 2012 Key Points were: There were 91, new diagnoses of HIV infection notified to the HPSC in Quarter 3 2012. Of the 91 new diagnoses in Quarter 3 46 (50.5%) were men who have sex with men (MSM), 28 (30.8%) were heterosexuals and 3 (3.3%) were Injecting Drug Users (IDUs). 67 (74%) were male and 24 (26%) were female. The median age was 34 years (range 18-70 years). The total number of new HIV diagnoses notified in Quarters 1-3 2012 was 248. Up to the 21st November, 2012, 201 enhanced forms (81%) had been received by Departments. A more details report on 2012 will be published in 2013. Visit www.hpsc.ie for further details. GHN believes that this highlights the continued need for the HIV Prevention Programmes among MSM. For instances in this 3rd quarter report, of the 46 MSM diagnosed 16 (35%) were aged under 30, and nearly half (7) of these were aged 25 and less. Nearly a third were not born in Ireland. Of the cases where CD4 count at diagnosis was known (64/91 cases), 47% were diagnosed at a late stage of infection (CD4 count <350 cells/mm3) and 23% were severely Immunocompromised (CD4 count <200 cells/mm3) at diagnosis. HIV STIGMA IN THE FUNERAL AND PATHOLOGY SERVICES In a recent edition of Baseline magazine (Baseline14 at www.baseline-hiv.co.uk), the National AIDS Trust (NAT) published an article on recent examples of discrimination in the funeral industry and pathology services in the UK following the death of individuals living with HIV. The most common experience concerns the process of embalming, a procedure which includes the removal of blood from the body in exchange for a solution of water and formaldehyde, which temporarily preserves the body to make it suitable for public viewing at a funeral. Upon learning of a person’s HIV status, however, many funeral directors are refusing to perform embalming – citing the risk of HIV transmission to staff. This is causing unnecessary distress for family and loved ones, at an already upsetting time in their lives. On further investigation, NAT discovered that this discriminatory practice is not confined to a few ill-informed funeral directors – it is rooted in official national UK guidance still operating today. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance – Controlling the risk of infection at work from human remains – clearly states that embalming should not be carried out on those with HIV. Discrimination around embalming still seems to underpin a whole array of prejudice and stigma in other parts of the industry. Some, according to NAT, are still refusing to perform basic hygienic preparations on the body, such as washing or dressing. Others are insisting that the body is placed in a sealed bag. Little of this practice has any evidence base whatsoever, and even HSE guidance says basic hygienic preparations can be undertaken as normal. Part of the problem lies with industry bodies, and in the course of research on the issue, NAT found that leading funeral director organisations are disseminating wildly out of date, inappropriate advice to their members. NAT found that while the guidance is far better within the pathology profession, stigma and discrimination continue to exist on the ground in that service too. Some HIV workers across the UK informed NAT that in some towns or regions, post-mortems will be refused for individuals with HIV. Following representations by NAT, the HSE is set to hold a consultation in the near future to review their guidance for funeral directors and NAT is making the case to remove the advice discouraging embalming of HIV positive individuals. More information on NAT at www.nat.org.uk. It takes no more than a basic knowledge of HIV to know that such restrictions are totally unnecessary and universal precautions (the basic practice of avoiding contact with bodily fluids by means of wearing medical gloves, etc.) are in place to protect all staff from risk of infection – regardless of whether someone’s health status is known. In addition, not only does HIV cease to be active in the body a short while after death, but an individual whose HIV status is known to a funeral director presents far less risk than someone with undiagnosed HIV. ON THE ONE ROAD | www.ghn.ie | email: info@ghn.ie | PAGE 02 THE NATIONAL HIV PREVENTION PROGRAMME FOR MSM: MAN2MAN.IE This joint GHN and HSE initiative commenced on World AIDS Day 2011 and is a year-long HIV Prevention and Sexual Health Awareness Programme targeting men who have sex with men (MSM), with particular emphasis on those residing outside urban centres and younger MSM. The programme comprises four phases, each one promoted for a three-month period. The key messages for all phases of the programme were developed by a younger MSM peer group facilitated by BeLonG To Youth Service. Phase 1 – Protect yourself: We’re worth protecting – aims to raise awareness that HIV infection is increasing in Ireland, particularly among MSM. Phase 2 – Get Tested: We’re worth protecting - promotes the availability of free HIV and STI testing services nationally and aims to encourage regular testing among MSM. Phase 3 – Support each other: We’re all worth respecting – raises awareness of the stigma, discrimination and isolation often faced by people living with HIV. The fourth and final phase was launched in October and promotes consistent condom use as the most effective way to prevent transmission of HIV and other STIs. 100,000 free safer sex packs have been created for this initiative and each pack contains one condom and one lubricant. The free condom packs have been made possible with funding from The George, Alternative Miss Ireland (AMI), GMHS HSE and the Gay Health Network (GHN). The condom packs were launched in The George on 14th October by Shirley Temple Bar, and will be distributed through The George, Panti Bar, and the gay scene in Dublin and around the country. They will also be available through a walk-in service in Outhouse, the LGBT Community Centre on Capel street, Dublin 1. Each phase of the programme includes a video, posters and postcards. View the videos on www.youtube.com/man2manireland. View the posters on www.man2man.ie. Dolly, Shirley Temple Bar and Veda at George Launch. ON THE ONE ROAD | www.ghn.ie | email: info@ghn.ie | PAGE 03 THINK CONTRACEPTION “THE 12 SAFER SEX DAYS OF CHRISTMAS” The Think Contraception team will be out and about distributing Protection Packs on the streets of Cork, Dublin, Galway and Kilkenny and at a number of college parties over 12 days of Christmas: 1st Day: 2nd Day: 3rd Day: 4th Day: 5th Day: 6th Day: 7th Day: 8th Day: 9th Day: 10th Day: 11th Day: 12th Day: For all those who plan to be naughty this Christmas, be nice to your partner and use a condom. The HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme (CPP) is encouraging sexually active young adults to use condoms this Christmas by distributing Protection Packs containing a condom and a sexual health information leaflet over 12 days during the Christmas period. The ‘Think Contraception’ Protection Packs are designed to highlight the importance of using condoms to prevent unplanned pregnancies and protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Mon 3rd Dec Mon 10th Dec Wed 12th Dec Wed 12th Dec Thurs 13th Dec Fri 14th Dec Sat 15th Dec Fri 21st Dec Sat 22nd Dec Sun 23rd Dec Fri 28th Dec Sat 29th Dec DIT Xmas Party NUIM Xmas Party DCU Xmas Party (day) TCD Secret Party (night) NCI Xmas Party Kilkenny - City activity Kilkenny - City activity Cork - City activity Cork - City activity Dublin - City activity Galway- City activity Galway- City activity The team will also be inviting people to take part in the ‘Get Protected Game’ to be in with a chance of winning a One4all gift voucher. The Get Protected Game is an engaging interactive video game that challenges players to protect themselves from STIs and unplanned pregnancy. Remember, for all those who plan to be naughty this Christmas, be nice to your partner and use a condom. Visit www.thinkcontraception.ie for more information. The Irish Contraception and Crisis Pregnancy Study (ICCP, 2010) found that while 80% of young people (18-25) use contraception consistently, 20% do not use contraception consistently. EU CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM ON DRUGS The European Commission has recently published the call for the Expressions of Interest to become a member of the EU Civil Society Forum (CSF) on Drugs 2013-2014. The CSF is a broad platform for a structured dialogue between the Commission and the European civil society which supports policy formulation and implementation through practical advice. The deadline for applications is 4th January 2013, and the application form and more information is available at: http://ec.europa.eu/justice/newsroom/contracts/2012_csf_en.htm استعمل دامئاً الواقي الذكري ومواد التزييت ......عند مامرسة الجنس Always use condoms and lube when having sex… نحن نستحق الحامية...... !ال تفقدهم...........استعملهم .إن الواقي الذكري ومواد التزييت هام الطريقة األكرث فعالية للوقاية من عدوى فريوس نقص املناعة نحن نستحق الحامية. هو.أنت يف هذهMan2Man.ie االيدز عىل املوقع-تعلم أكرث عن استعامل الواقي الذكري وفريوس نقص املناعة )LBGT ( خط املساعدة يف1890 929 539 اللغة أوباألنجليزية عن طريق اإلتصال بالرقم A GHN & HSE Initiative © Gay Health Network 2011 | 2012 ...We’re worth protecting Utilisez toujours des préservatifs et du lubrifiant pour faire l’amour… Úsáid coiscíní agus bealú gach uair a bhíonn gnéas agat… ...La protection : on en vaut le coup ...Is fiú sinn a chosaint Utilisez-les... Ne les perdez pas ! Is iad coiscíní agus bealú an bealach is éifeachtaí chun ionfhabhtú VEID a sheachaint. Vous valez le coup. Il vaut le coup. Nous valons le coup d’être protégés. You are. He is. We are worth protecting. Learn more about condom use and HIV at Man2Man.ie or call *1890 929 539 (*LGBT Helpline). Úsáid iad... ná caill iad! Les préservatifs et le lubrifiant sont la meilleure façon d’éviter une infection VIH. Use them... don’t lose them! Condoms and lube are the most effective way to prevent HIV infection. A GHN & HSE Initiative © Gay Health Network 2011 | 2012 Pour en savoir plus sur l’utilisation de préservatifs et le VIH, rendez-vous sur Man2Man.ie en français, ou en anglais en appelant le 1890 929 539 (Assistance téléphonique LGBT). Is fiú thú. Is fiú é. Is fiú sinn a chosaint. A GHN & HSE Initiative © Gay Health Network 2011 | 2012 Foghlaim tuilleadh faoi choiscíní a úsáid agus faoi VEID ag Man2Man.ie sa teanga seo nó i mBéarla trí ghlao a chur ar 1890 929 539 (Líne Chabhrach an LGBT). A GHN & HSE Initiative © Gay Health Network 2011 | 2012 ON THE ONE ROAD | www.ghn.ie | email: info@ghn.ie | PAGE 05 STIS IN IRELAND 2011 As part of its Just Carry One campaign, Dublin AIDS Alliance has produced a video highlighting that young people account for the highest percentage of STI notifications in Ireland and that condoms are the most effective way of preventing the transmission of STIs. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) recently published the 2011 Report on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Ireland. Some key points from the report are included below and the report can be viewed in full at www.hpsc.ie. The video can be viewed at www.youtube.com/justcarryone. • There were 13,259 notifications of STIs in 2011, an increase of 12.2% when compared with 2010 and continuing an upward trend since 1995. • The impact of poor sexual health is occurring in young adults, with more than half (59.3%) of notifications among those aged 20 to 29 years. • In line with previous years, Chlamydia was the most frequently notified STI, accounting for 48.3% of notifications in 2011. • The number of notifications of gonorrhoea (+33.4%) and genital herpes (+39.8%) continued to increase in 2011. • A total of 653 cases of syphilis were notified in 2011, including 171 cases of early syphilis and one case of probable congenital syphilis. • 18.7% of early syphilis cases are HIV positive, and 79.5% are men who have sex with men (MSM). The table below shows the number of notifications of STIs by gender and age group in 2011. STI GENDER Ano-genital warts Chlamydia Gonorrhoea Herpes simplex (genital) Lymphogranuloma Venereum Non-specific urethritis Syphilis Trichomoniasis Total % of all STIs Male 1363 2761 650 388 2 1504 491 2 7161 54.0 AGE GROUP Female Unknown 1071 25 3446 200 157 27 794 44 0 0 99 156 72 5795 43.7 0 6 1 303 2.3 Seasons Greetings from Man2Man.ie Have a Safer and Sexy 2013. TOTAL 0-19 yrs 264 897 96 149 0 20-29 yrs 1560 4174 464 581 1 30-39 yrs 436 1026 161 312 1 112 10 8 1536 11.6 900 156 21 7857 59.3 410 249 23 2618 19.7 40+ yrs Unknown 190 9 286 24 109 4 183 1 0 0 177 236 23 1204 9.1 4 2 0 44 0.3 2459 6407 834 1226 2 1603 653 75 13259 Seasons Greetings GMHS STI Clinic, Baggot St. Hospital Last Clinic: Wed. 19th Dec. 2012 First Clinic: Tue. 8th Jan. 2013 If you have an emergency and think you need PEP please go to your nearest A&E within 72 hours. Pick up your condoms and lube at Outhouse, Panti Bar, or The George. www.gmhs.ie Further info at Man2Man.ie Service details, reports and links. www.man2man.ie Sexual health information in 9 languages. ON THE ONE ROAD | www.ghn.ie | email: info@ghn.ie | PAGE 04 UNAIDS WORLD AIDS DAY REPORT 2012 UNAIDS reports a more than 50% drop in new HIV infections across 25 countries as countries approach the 1000 day deadline to achieve global AIDS targets. Half of the global reductions in new HIV infections in the last two years have been among newborn children, decreasing by 24%. In the last two years the numbers of people accessing treatment has increased by 63% globally. In sub-Saharan Africa, a record 2.3 million people had access to treatment, and China has increased the number of people on HIV treatment by nearly 50% in the last year alone. Global Overview – In 2011, an estimated: • 34 million people globally are living with HIV. • 2.5 million people became newly infected with HIV. • 1.7 million people died from AIDS-related illnesses. • 14.8 million people are eligible for HIV treatment. • 8 million people are on HIV treatment. An estimated 6.8 million people are eligible for treatment and do not have access. UNAIDS also estimates that an additional 4 million discordant couples (where one partner is living with HIV) would benefit from HIV treatment to protect their partners from HIV infection. Of the 34 million people living with HIV, about half do not know their HIV status. The report states that if more people knew their status, they could come forward for HIV services. The report shows that unprecedented acceleration in the AIDS response is producing results for people, with a more than 50% reduction in the rate of new HIV infections been achieved across 25 low- and middle-income countries – more than half in Africa, the region most affected by HIV. Despite the encouraging progress in stopping new HIV infections, the total number of new HIV infections remains high – 2.5 million in 2011. The report shows that HIV continues to have a disproportionate impact on sex workers, men who have sex with men and people who inject drugs. In some of the countries which have the highest HIV prevalence in the world, rates of new HIV infections have been cut dramatically since 2001; by 73% in Malawi, 71% in Botswana, 68% in Namibia, 58% in Zambia, 50% in Zimbabwe and 41% in South Africa and Swaziland. The full report can be viewed and downloaded at www.unaids.org. In addition to welcome results in HIV prevention, sub-Saharan Africa has reduced AIDS related deaths by one third in the last six years and increased the number of people on antiretroviral treatment by 59% in the last two years alone. EXPERIENCES OF LGBT ASYLUM SEEKERS AND REFUGEES IN IRELAND On 10th December 2012 – International Human Rights Day – BeLonG To Youth Service will launch a new report on ‘Key Principles for Working with LGBT Asylum Seekers and Refugees’ and a short video on the Experiences of LGBT Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Ireland. The event takes place in the O’Callaghan Alexander Hotel, 41-47 Fenian Street (off Merrion Square) in Dublin 2. The launch will be followed by a panel discussion on ‘Challenges facing LGBT Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Ireland’ and speakers include Neil Grungras, Executive Director of the Organisation for Refuge, Asylum and Migration (ORAM), San Francisco; PJ Boyle, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Asylum Seekers Health, at the Balseskin Reception Centre in Dublin, and Salome Mbugua, CEO with AkiDwA. The project is co-financed by the European Commission under the European Refugee Fund (ERF) and is supported by the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration in the Department of Justice and Equality, Pobal and the HSE. For more information email info@belongto.org. A-Z DIRECTORY OF MIGRANTS ORGANISATIONS AND SUPPORT GROUPS IN DUBLIN On 7th December 2012, the New Communities Partnership (NCP) Ireland will launch a new directory of Migrant Organisations and Support Groups in Dublin. The event takes place in the Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre, 27-31 Upper O’Connell Street, Dublin 1 from 2pm. Special guests include the Lord Mayor of Dublin Naoise Ó Muirí. For more information contact: Reginald@newcommunities.ie. ON THE ONE ROAD | www.ghn.ie | email: info@ghn.ie | PAGE 06 HIV AND SEX A new report has shown that most gay men living with HIV in the UK have experienced problems with sex. The What do you need? (WDYN) survey, originally published by Sigma Research in 2009, asked a variety of questions about different aspects of living with HIV, but this current analysis only looks at those concerning sex. 1,199 men provided complete answers on these topics 70% (n=845) of respondents reported at least one problem with sex during the last year. The most common were loss of libido and poor self-image/self-confidence (44% of all respondents, 64% of those with at least one problem); too little sex (41% of all, 63% of those with problems); concern about transmitting HIV (37%/59%), fear of rejection by partners (35%/50%), fear of disclosing to partners (32%/46%), physical problems with penis or anus (28%/41%), and fear of prosecution for transmission (24%/35%). Men who worried about disclosure, transmission and prosecution were significantly younger than average and men with poor self-image or poor self-confidence were older. Men who were not taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) were more likely to be concerned about disclosure than men on ART. 55% of those with at least one problem who were not on ART feared disclosing, as opposed to 42% of those on ART. Similarly, 57.5% not on ART feared rejection versus 47% on ART, and 66% versus 49% were worried about transmission. Men diagnosed less than five years ago were more likely to be worried about disclosure and transmission than men diagnosed more than five years ago. (Article sourced at www.aidsmap.com). Sigma Research published a new article on the report in BMC Public Health which can be viewed here: http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1471-2458-12-916.pdf. For more information on Living with HIV and Sex, see www.man2man.ie. HIV RISK BEHAVIOUR US researchers have found that rates of unprotected sex and injecting drug use fall among HIV-positive injecting drug users after they start antiretroviral therapy (ART). It is now widely accepted that infectiousness is reduced when viral load is kept under control by ART. However, there are some concerns that being aware of this could mean that people taking treatment are more likely to have unprotected sex or engage in other HIV risk behaviours. Researchers in the US city of Baltimore wanted to see if this was the case. Their research involved 362 people living with HIV with a history of injecting drug use. Rates of unprotected sex and unsafe injecting practices were monitored for a year before the study participants started HIV treatment and for up to five years afterwards. Starting HIV treatment was accompanied by a 75% reduction in the proportion of people reporting unprotected sex. There was also a 38% fall in the proportion reporting injecting drug use. But a small proportion of people who were actively injecting before they started treatment were even more likely to report unsafe injecting practices after initiating therapy. Overall, the researchers were encouraged by their findings. They recommend that HIV prevention efforts should be especially targeted at people who report risky behaviour in the period before they start treatment. (Article sourced at www.aidsmap.com) ON THE ONE ROAD | www.ghn.ie | email: info@ghn.ie | PAGE 07 Apoiem-se uns aos outros… Translating Man2Man Zabezpieczaj się… Всегда используйте презервативы и лубриканты во время секса… 互相支持…… Faigh tástáil … Get tested... Always use condoms and lube when having sex… Protect yourself... Support each other... Предохраняйтесь… Protégete… Поддержите друг друга… Tacaígí lena chéile… 去检验…… .......يجب أن ندعم بعضنا البعض Utiliza siempre condones y lubricante cuando mantengas relaciones sexuales... .....أفحص نفسك Protégez-vous... 保护你自己…… Apoyaos mutuamente… Soutenons-nous… .........أحم نفسك Wspierajmy się nawzajem… A World AIDS Day Exhibition of the Man2Man Posters and Films in 9 Languages December 1st 2012 to January 6th 2013 Outhouse (LGBT Community Centre), 105 Capel Street, Dublin 1. Supported by Outhouse and the Social Inclusion Departments, HSE and Dublin City Council. A GHN & HSE Initiative | © Gay Health Network 2011 | 2012