Rapid testing a must to fight HIV
ACON has called on the federal Government to introduce rapid testing for HIV following disturbing survey results.
Queensland researchers conducting a microcosmic study of undiagnosed testing among men at sex-on-premises venues found that while more men are getting tested more regularly, there is still a proportion of men who remain unaware that they have contracted the virus.
Of 460 men tested, 41 tested HIV positive. Of those, 20 percent were unaware that they were HIV positive, despite most of them having recently been tested. Eighty-six percent of those who were unaware of their status said they had been tested within the past six months, and all had been tested within the last two years.
National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research professor Garrett Prestage said the limited scope of the study meant it could not be considered a trend but it still highlighted the need to improve testing options.
“A key response to this concerns testing. These men appear to get tested at high rates — but men who have a fair bit of risky sex should get tested more often than the recommended frequency,” Prestage told Sydney Star Observer.
“One of the main problems in encouraging men to get tested is that testing is becoming more difficult. There are increased time pressures, more difficulty getting to see a doctor that’s convenient and fewer bulk-billing practices.”
ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill said rapid testing would encourage more men to get tested more often.
“This study reinforces the need for men who have higher numbers of casual sex partners to get tested for HIV and other STIs frequently,” he said.
“ACON appreciates that for some men getting tested for HIV can be a lengthy process and is often stressful. That’s why we’re calling on the federal Government to follow the lead of many other developed countries and introduce rapid HIV testing.
“We believe that getting test results in about 20 minutes will encourage more men to get tested more often.”
info: For more information on getting tested, visit www.acon.org.au
Matthew…WTF! I cannot understand anything you are saying in your post!
Chris, it might also have a different outcome from any you might currently imagine… The fear campaigns produced by ACON only served to hasten the death of many who had been prescibed very toxic drugs which ultimately caused their deaths. This fear campaign also extended to the auxilary staff of ACON who coached their clients to prepare for death and told them they were in denial if anyone questioned their judgement??? This needs to be included in any further study before any death can be solely attributed to HIV or AIDS. I think it’s time certain mistakes are corrected stastically an it probably would be easier to disolve ACON and start the thought process again of where we’re actually up to after almost three decades of fear campaigns over the last, almost three decades. And, of course their are those who have every reason to bang their drum the loudest… Those who simply don’t want to work and have turned this into a rort…Learning from mistakes and accepting facts would be instrumental in looking at this matter in a more balanced way and would be a good way to start don’t you think?
I believe we are on the cusp of a massive explosion of newly diagnosed HIV as soon as rapid testing is implemented. How can it be otherwise? The culture of barebacking is not only widespread but entrenched. ACON should be made accountable for this as well as the producers of bareback porn. ACON who recieve millions of of taxpayer funded dollars have delivered absolutely pathetic safe sex campaigns for decades- gay wallpaper! Where are the fear based campaigns? -“Oh no we can’t offend the hiv community! “Cries ACON- well the hiv community allready have the virus ACON – how about we attempt to save the health and lives of those that don’t !!! Our community in the current culture is playing nothing but russian roulette- online and in life a lot of hiv positive people lie about their status and stupid and foolish hiv neg people take peoples word on face value and proceed to have a good ole time barebacking- ACON do your job!!!
“increased time pressures” – my arse. If we can go out and find that many people to have sex with then surely we can find the time to go and get an HIV test. it’s the mentality and culture of barebacking that needs to be addressed, not the time it takes to test! and if you want to do something good, then set up a testing facility at every venue for immediate results like NSW Health did at fairday! Victoria has “convenient’ testing at it’s venues, how come we dont?
Unfortunatly, it would seem Garrett is searching for a few more guinea pigs and has simply dragged the bumbleheads from ACON along for the ride into Queensland. With so few deaths occuring these days they need try different strategies in order to to continue to recieve their taxpayers funded dollar. What Garrett Prestage is up to is anyone’s guess?
And it took the high-paid luxury Acon executives all these years to work thuis one out???