Poor availability in Ireland of a medical treatment which can prevent HIV infection after a person has been potentially been exposed to the virus was an area of "major concern and dissatisfaction", a conference in Dublin heard today.
Addressing the 8th Nordic HIV conference, Maeve Foreman of the School of Social Work and Social Policy at Trinity College presented findings from a landmark study of Irish HIV services.
The study relied on detailed questionnaires filled in by about 20 per cent of the HIV positive population attending the five major HIV clinics in the State.
"Overall the majority of people lauded the support and care they got from services," said Ms Foreman.
"Several areas of dissatisfaction were highlighted, first and foremost of which was inadequate information on the availability of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEPs)," she said.
"In fact it is very worrying that that so few are aware of PEPs when it should be so much part of stopping the spread of the virus."
PEP is a short-term antiretroviral treatment which reduces the likelihood of HIV infection after potential exposure, either occupationally or through sexual intercourse. It is most effective when started within hours of the potential exposure, and treatment is given over the course of about a month.
Ms Foreman said it was generally not available from GPs, that it should be available at all A&Es but many had to wait until they got to a HIV clinic to get treatment. "Many people simply don't know about it though and that is worrying."
Conference chairwoman Mary O'Shea said there was a perception HIV was not longer being transmitted. However, infection rates were increasing, by 3.6 per cent last year when 405 new cases were confirmed, as compared with 2007.
"HIV and AIDS need to remain on the agenda. It is still infecting people and the highest number of new infections are among heterosexuals."
She said discrimination against sufferers persisted and called for the initiation of a national sexual health strategy "if we are serious about addressing issues of HIV and sexual health in Ireland".
President Mary McAleese, who delivered the key-note address, said the positive progress in treating HIV gave rise to a risk of complacency about the virus. She too mentioned "rising infection rates here".
