News from aidsmap
Russia: huge differences between provinces in Europe’s worst HIV epidemic
Although well over half of new cases of HIV in the World Health Organization European region (which includes Siberia and central Asia) occur in Russia, there is surprisingly little we know on a nationwide level about the country’s epidemic. Now, in what its authors describe as an “exploratory and descriptive study”, figures from different agencies have been pulled together to paint a picture of HIV in this vast country.
Lower chances of survival for people whose CD4 count remains under 500, Polish researchers report
A CD4 count remaining below 500 was associated with an increased risk of death in a ten-year analysis from Poland. The study confirms that immune restoration – regardless of how long it takes – is a powerful predictor of survival in people with HIV who are on effective antiretroviral therapy.
What draws gay men to slamming: the rush, pleasure or kinship?
Gay and bisexual men living in the Netherlands reported intense rush, less sexual inhibition, pleasure and kinship among the perceived benefits of slamming in a master thesis titled Meth, Sex, Health and Pleasure from Utrecht University.
Trans people receiving hormone therapy in South Africa are three times more likely to be virally suppressed
Transgender people were three times more likely to have a suppressed viral load if they were receiving hormone therapy as part of integrated sexual health and gender-affirming services, a large South African study has found. However, PrEP outcomes were not better in people who got hormone therapy.
Study participants and their partners need reassurance when treatment interruption required in quest for an HIV cure
People living with HIV and their partners have a variety of concerns around interruptions of treatment required by cure studies. Concerns around health, transmission, finance, stigma and inclusivity were highlighted as potential barriers to engagement in trials that require an interruption of antiretroviral therapy.
Myths and facts
There's a lot of misunderstanding about HIV and AIDS. Not everything you hear is true.
We've updated our easy-to read and illustrated information page – and also made it interactive – to help you separate the myths from the facts.
An A4 version can be downloaded and printed out from the clinic portal, for members of our patient information subscription scheme.
Editors' picks from other sources
Russia: Most HIV clinicians support HIV criminalisation | HIV Justice Network
A sobering new study from Russia undertaken by the Eurasian Women’s Network on AIDS has found that the majority of HIV clinicians surveyed support HIV criminalisation, with some even believing the current law should be stricter.
More evidence COVID vaccines work well for people with HIV | POZ
People with suppressed HIV respond well to mRNA vaccines, but individuals with a low CD4 count may not be adequately protected.
I tried getting PrEP online but decided to go through my doctor | TheBody
Online advertisements claim that PrEP is free and easy to get. But is it really? TheBody looked at three providers to find out.
Study finds voluntary medical male circumcision continues to be cost effective for HIV prevention | Be In The Know
Modelling from sub-Saharan Africa suggests male circumcision should continue for the next five years at least, despite increased access to HIV treatment and PrEP.
UK: Census data reveals LGBT+ populations for first time | BBC News
More than 1.3 million people in England and Wales identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual, census data has revealed for the first time. More than 1.5% identify as gay or lesbian, and 1.3% as bisexual, while 0.5% said their gender identity was different from their sex registered at birth.
Fighting HIV Stigma and Proud
This spring, we’re partnering with over 20 HIV organisations in London for the Fighting HIV Stigma and Proud: March, Vigil and Rally.
We’ll be gathering from 12pm on Saturday 18 March 2023 at Forum Magnum Square, London, to march to Trafalgar Square.
Everyone wanting to fight HIV stigma is welcome – whether you have been on many demos or this is your first, please come along. Feel free to bring your friends.
If you want to get involved, reserve a spot via the link below, making sure to select 'NAM aidsmap' when asked which organisation you would like to march with.