“The UK has one of the highest rates of HIV infection in Europe largely due to a growing epidemic of the disease in the black African community and among gay men, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) warned today.”
“The findings came as a separate report found that the UK had one of the highest rates of new HIV infections in Europe last year.”
“The report by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) found the UK HIV infection rate was more than double the European Union average - almost 149 cases per million inhabitants compared with an EU average of 67 cases per million.”
“The ECDC found that HIV/Aids cases in Europe have doubled in six years, bucking the trend elsewhere in the world where infection rates have fallen.”
“The HPA, which monitors infectious diseases in the UK, also raised concern about the "disturbing" rise in HIV among gay men. “
“There were 2,700 new cases of HIV in this group last year, breaking the previous record high of 2,650 set in 2005. There were 31,100 gay men living with HIV in the UK last year - more than 40% of the total number of people infected, which is 73,000.”
“Rates of other STIs in gay men have also risen dramatically in recent years, which the HPA blamed on a growing failure among this group to practise safer sex.
Dr Valerie Delpech, the head of HIV surveillance at the HPA, said: "In recent years we have seen steady increases in all sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, in gay men and since 2003, the number of HIV diagnoses reported annually has consistently increased and exceeded the annual number of diagnoses throughout the 1980s and 1990s."
Professor Pete Borriello, the director of the HPA's centre for infections, said it was imperative to get across the importance of practising safer sex, particularly among high-risk groups such as gay men and young adults.
He said: "We recommend that gay men should have regular HIV tests, STI clinic attendees should be tested for HIV at every visit and young sexually active adults should be screened for chlamydia annually and after a partner change.
"We need to reinforce the safe sex message for gay men, young adults and the broader community. The best way to protect yourself from contracting an STI including HIV is by practising safer sex by using a condom with all new and casual partners."
more...
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
Bareback model seeks legal action over HIV infection
"One of three young men who was infected with HIV during a bareback porn shoot is seeking legal advice to make a claim of negligence against the film’s producers, write Karl Riley and Paul Steinberg.
The film, entitled British Bareback Vacation, was released on DVD last week by Load XXX Films, and is now available for purchase through numerous online adult shopping sites. Craig* told Boyz that he was outraged that the company had released the film, the production of which resulted in three new cases of HIV, as we exclusively reported last month. Since then, the story has been picked up by gay media across the world.
After a difficult few months trying to come to terms with his HIV status, Craig has now begun to explore the options available to prevent such a tragedy occurring again. ‘It makes me feel sick that the DVD is on sale,’ said Craig. He told us that he hoped any potential legal action might prevent other young people from experiencing the same fate.
In an interview with Boyz, Craig, who has learning difficulties, told us: ‘My doctor told me to just concentrate on getting back on my feet first before I started looking into it. I’ve been suicidal and cut [myself]. I felt so dirty. I now feel that I’m 100% committed to stopping other models becoming infected with HIV’.
The background to the case has become clearer since Boyz first reported the story in October. Several weeks after the filming of British Bareback Vacation, many of the same models were involved in the filming of a new production in a field in Kent. That same day, one of the original models from the first film also tested positive for HIV.
After contacting the production company to inform them of this result, the director rushed the other models to take HIV tests at an NHS sexual health clinic on the outskirts of London that evening, where they were also given PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis). The next day, Craig’s HIV test came back positive. Some members of the cast tested negative. The three boys who tested positive were urged to continue to take the medication. PEP is only believed to be effective if used up to 72 hours after exposure to HIV. The producers have confirmed that they believe Craig was actually infected on the first film shoot.
After his diagnosis with HIV, Craig had accepted support and guidance from the production company, Ikandi, and its director, Adam Bailey. ‘I had no one to turn to other than Ikandi because I felt so ashamed telling my family I was doing porn. I was so frightened about what was going to happen’. Soon after, and against Ikandi’s advice, Craig told his family and moved away from relying on the company for support. ‘I felt they were looking out for themselves. When I was in hospital feeling suicidal, he told me that I had to check myself out straight away’.
Bailey has strongly refuted this claim. He told Boyz: ‘I didn’t know he was suicidal, he was saying how much he hated it in hospital and I knew that his state was always better when he was with us’. Bailey added that he had suggested to Craig that it might not necessarily be wise to rush into telling his family in case their response made the situation worse.
Looking back at his involvement in the summer porn shoot, Craig expressed his regret at becoming involved in the industry on the recommendation of a friend. What started out as a so-called ‘interview’, ended up as a hardcore bareback threesome with the cameras rolling. ‘I should’ve known from the start. It was just meant to be a solo to see how I was in front of the camera, but Adam Bailey said to me, “Do you mind if I throw you in at the deep end and put you into a three-way?” I had tested negative for HIV before but had left the certificate at the hospital. They just took my word for it and we shot the scene. I could’ve put the other models at risk.’
After moving back to his parents house, Craig saw his family doctor who told him to stop taking the PEP medication: ‘She just couldn’t understand why I’d been given it. I was so ill, I had to stop it’.
At this stage, no litigation has been commenced, although a prominent legal firm is currently exploring the possibility. It is also understood that a BBC news team is also investigating the story. On its website, Load XXX films promotes the DVD with the statement:
‘Pack your bags and join these bright young things as they set off on a British Bareback Vacation - where the only protection they will need is factor 50!’ Craig is clear that there was nothing to protect him from HIV."
Source
The film, entitled British Bareback Vacation, was released on DVD last week by Load XXX Films, and is now available for purchase through numerous online adult shopping sites. Craig* told Boyz that he was outraged that the company had released the film, the production of which resulted in three new cases of HIV, as we exclusively reported last month. Since then, the story has been picked up by gay media across the world.
After a difficult few months trying to come to terms with his HIV status, Craig has now begun to explore the options available to prevent such a tragedy occurring again. ‘It makes me feel sick that the DVD is on sale,’ said Craig. He told us that he hoped any potential legal action might prevent other young people from experiencing the same fate.
In an interview with Boyz, Craig, who has learning difficulties, told us: ‘My doctor told me to just concentrate on getting back on my feet first before I started looking into it. I’ve been suicidal and cut [myself]. I felt so dirty. I now feel that I’m 100% committed to stopping other models becoming infected with HIV’.
The background to the case has become clearer since Boyz first reported the story in October. Several weeks after the filming of British Bareback Vacation, many of the same models were involved in the filming of a new production in a field in Kent. That same day, one of the original models from the first film also tested positive for HIV.
After contacting the production company to inform them of this result, the director rushed the other models to take HIV tests at an NHS sexual health clinic on the outskirts of London that evening, where they were also given PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis). The next day, Craig’s HIV test came back positive. Some members of the cast tested negative. The three boys who tested positive were urged to continue to take the medication. PEP is only believed to be effective if used up to 72 hours after exposure to HIV. The producers have confirmed that they believe Craig was actually infected on the first film shoot.
After his diagnosis with HIV, Craig had accepted support and guidance from the production company, Ikandi, and its director, Adam Bailey. ‘I had no one to turn to other than Ikandi because I felt so ashamed telling my family I was doing porn. I was so frightened about what was going to happen’. Soon after, and against Ikandi’s advice, Craig told his family and moved away from relying on the company for support. ‘I felt they were looking out for themselves. When I was in hospital feeling suicidal, he told me that I had to check myself out straight away’.
Bailey has strongly refuted this claim. He told Boyz: ‘I didn’t know he was suicidal, he was saying how much he hated it in hospital and I knew that his state was always better when he was with us’. Bailey added that he had suggested to Craig that it might not necessarily be wise to rush into telling his family in case their response made the situation worse.
Looking back at his involvement in the summer porn shoot, Craig expressed his regret at becoming involved in the industry on the recommendation of a friend. What started out as a so-called ‘interview’, ended up as a hardcore bareback threesome with the cameras rolling. ‘I should’ve known from the start. It was just meant to be a solo to see how I was in front of the camera, but Adam Bailey said to me, “Do you mind if I throw you in at the deep end and put you into a three-way?” I had tested negative for HIV before but had left the certificate at the hospital. They just took my word for it and we shot the scene. I could’ve put the other models at risk.’
After moving back to his parents house, Craig saw his family doctor who told him to stop taking the PEP medication: ‘She just couldn’t understand why I’d been given it. I was so ill, I had to stop it’.
At this stage, no litigation has been commenced, although a prominent legal firm is currently exploring the possibility. It is also understood that a BBC news team is also investigating the story. On its website, Load XXX films promotes the DVD with the statement:
‘Pack your bags and join these bright young things as they set off on a British Bareback Vacation - where the only protection they will need is factor 50!’ Craig is clear that there was nothing to protect him from HIV."
Source
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Lack of HIV Prevention Efforts Among MSM
Lack of HIV Prevention Efforts Among MSM Fueling Increase in New Diagnoses, JAMA Commentary Says
[Nov 28, 2007]
A lack of HIV prevention efforts and an increase in risky sexual behaviors among men who have sex with men are fueling an increase in new HIV diagnoses among the group, Kevin De Cock, director of the World Health Organization's HIV/AIDS Department; Ronald Valdiserri of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Harold Jaffe, a public health professor at the University of Oxford, write in a commentary in the Nov. 28 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, the Washington Times reports.
According to the commentary, the number of HIV/AIDS cases among U.S. MSM increased by 13% -- from 16,167 to 18,296 -- between 2001 and 2005. Syphilis cases also increased 10-fold among MSM (Wetzstein, Washington Times, 11/28). In addition, recent surveys have found an increase in risky sexual behavior among MSM who do not know their partners' HIV status, the authors write (Jaffe et al., JAMA, 11/28).
According to the authors, a lack of awareness about HIV and a decrease in HIV prevention efforts are fueling the increase. HIV/AIDS is "not as frightening as it was" when the epidemic first surfaced because antiretroviral drugs have allowed HIV-positive people to live longer, the authors write. In addition, younger MSM are unfamiliar with the effects of HIV among U.S. MSM in the 1980s, the commentary says.
The authors called on public health and community leaders to increase HIV prevention efforts and education about safer-sex behaviors to help curb the spread of the virus. Leaders also "must call for the end of stigma toward MSM, which may mitigate the internalization of homophobia leading to sexual risk behavior," the authors write. They add that leaders also should "advocate for legal domestic partnerships as a way to promote stable, longer-term" relationships among MSM (Washington Times, 11/28). In addition, HIV testing rates among MSM should be increased because many members of the group are not aware of their HIV status, the authors write. "Failure to address" issues such as testing, funding for public health strategies and community leadership "implies that the HIV/AIDS epidemic in MSM must be accepted as inevitable," the authors write, concluding that "this cannot be allowed to happen. The tragedy of the epidemic for an earlier generation of MSM must not be repeated" (JAMA, 11/28).
Source
[Nov 28, 2007]
A lack of HIV prevention efforts and an increase in risky sexual behaviors among men who have sex with men are fueling an increase in new HIV diagnoses among the group, Kevin De Cock, director of the World Health Organization's HIV/AIDS Department; Ronald Valdiserri of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Harold Jaffe, a public health professor at the University of Oxford, write in a commentary in the Nov. 28 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, the Washington Times reports.
According to the commentary, the number of HIV/AIDS cases among U.S. MSM increased by 13% -- from 16,167 to 18,296 -- between 2001 and 2005. Syphilis cases also increased 10-fold among MSM (Wetzstein, Washington Times, 11/28). In addition, recent surveys have found an increase in risky sexual behavior among MSM who do not know their partners' HIV status, the authors write (Jaffe et al., JAMA, 11/28).
According to the authors, a lack of awareness about HIV and a decrease in HIV prevention efforts are fueling the increase. HIV/AIDS is "not as frightening as it was" when the epidemic first surfaced because antiretroviral drugs have allowed HIV-positive people to live longer, the authors write. In addition, younger MSM are unfamiliar with the effects of HIV among U.S. MSM in the 1980s, the commentary says.
The authors called on public health and community leaders to increase HIV prevention efforts and education about safer-sex behaviors to help curb the spread of the virus. Leaders also "must call for the end of stigma toward MSM, which may mitigate the internalization of homophobia leading to sexual risk behavior," the authors write. They add that leaders also should "advocate for legal domestic partnerships as a way to promote stable, longer-term" relationships among MSM (Washington Times, 11/28). In addition, HIV testing rates among MSM should be increased because many members of the group are not aware of their HIV status, the authors write. "Failure to address" issues such as testing, funding for public health strategies and community leadership "implies that the HIV/AIDS epidemic in MSM must be accepted as inevitable," the authors write, concluding that "this cannot be allowed to happen. The tragedy of the epidemic for an earlier generation of MSM must not be repeated" (JAMA, 11/28).
Source
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