Pubdate: Mon, 21 Nov 2005
Source: Community Press, Quinte Edition, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 February 11 Interactive Publishing Ltd.
Contact: 613-395-2992
Website: http://www.communitypress-online.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1717
Author: Kate Everson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange)

HIV/AIDS ON THE RISE IN QUINTE AREA

A report on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and AIDS by public
health nurse Debbie Laughton to the Hastings and Prince Edward
Counties health board on November 18 highlighted concerns about the
deadly disease.

"From 2000 to 2004 the incidence of HIV was up 39 per cent in
Ontario," Laughton said. "It is on the rise and we are concerned."

A total of 1,307 people were diagnosed with HIV in 2004 in Ontario. It
was estimated that one third more people were infected but did not
know it because they have not been tested.

"The HIV epidemic in Ontario has not yet stabilized," she said. "In
certain populations it is growing."

Laughton said public information about the disease is lacking. A
recent study of high school students showed that two thirds of them
thought there was a cure or vaccine. "There is a lot of work to be
done," Laughton said.

Gordon Fox asked about the needle exchange program. "HIV is on the
rise and so are the needles we are handing out," he said. "It's not
working."

Laughton said injection drug use is way down and only causes 7.4 per
cent of adult AIDS cases and 16.7 per cent of HIV cases. "The needle
exchange is an excellent way to reduce HIV infections," she said.

In 2003 the Health Unit worked with the Injection Drug Use Harm
Reduction Task Force and other community partners to establish the
Needle Exchange Program. In the first year they distributed 14,500
needles and in 2004 they distributed 16,300 needles. To the end of
June, 2005, about 17,000 needles were given out. About twice as many
males as females access the program, which has expanded to 13 sites.

Ron Hamilton noted that even Loyalist College has a needle exchange
program.

Laughton reported that condoms are also provided free at all branch
offices of the Health Unit and at all sexual health clinic sites and
some community agencies. In 2004, 37,080 condoms were distributed
along with information about safe sex and proper condom use.

Laughton said the causes for HIV now include several areas. In 1985
women accounted for only 1.8 per cent of new cases, but in 2004 that
went up to 27.8 per cent. Of these, 62 per cent were infected through
heterosexual transmission.

In Hastings and Prince Edward Counties there were 104 cases of HIV
positive reports from 1982 to 2004. Between 1998 and 2004 there were
14 new cases. Of these total cases, 53 have gone on to develop AIDS.
It was noted that even if someone does not have symptoms and has not
been diagnosed with HIV, the infected individual could still transmit
the virus to others over the entire course of the disease. The Medical
Officer of Health added that anyone tested anonymously or outside of
the two counties would not be included in local statistics.

November 24 to December 1 was named AIDS Awareness Week, ending on
World AIDS Day. Each year a banner is hung over the bridge in
Belleville. This year the theme is directed at youth and intended to
address the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS as well
as prevent transmission.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin