Positive Life NSW

Kathy Triffit at the 2008 ASHM Conference in Perth
Hédimo Santana reports on the 2008 ASHM Conference in Perth during September.

The unique aspect of this 2008 ASHM Conference is that a great deal of attention was paid to diverse groups affected by HIV. We heard of research being carried out with the Australian Indigenous population, women, MSM, IV drug users, sex workers and CALD communities. We also heard about the work being done throughout our neighbourhood in Southeast Asia and PNG.

Significant debate was undertaken on the role of HIV and ageing, including prevention and treatment, as well as research on HPV and anal cancer, and other co-infections such as Hepatitis C and Tuberculosis.

HIV infection, treatments and prevention dominated the Conference topics.

Increases in HIV infection rates around Australia

The number of new HIV diagnoses in Australia have increased each year -from 718 cases in 1999 to 1051 cases in 2007, an increase of almost 50% when comparing those years. While the rates of HIV infection have been stable in NSW for the past five years, and Victoria in the last year, the other states -South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia and Queensland -have seen increases.

Much discussion occurred around the reasons for the higher rates of infection in other States, while it has remained stable in NSW.

HIV Prevention

Prevention of HIV infection has been tried around the world through varied technologies such as vaccines, circumcision, vaginal microbicides and vaginal diaphragms. While some of these trials have proved to be successful, others have had disappointing results:

• Circumcision - Research carried out in sub-Saharan African countries has shown the efficacy of male circumcision in the prevention of female-to-male infection of HIV. The question is how applicable such intervention could be for Australia, where the majority of infection is among MSM, mostly acquired through receptive anal intercourse?
• Vaccines–Following disappointment experienced after the failure of the STEP HIV Phase II vaccine trial last year, questions have been raised about whether or not an effective vaccine to prevent HIV infection can be achieved.
• Vagina microbicides – Whilst still in its early trial phase, this seems to be a promising way of preventing HIV. However, research so far revealed that this will probably be more successful if combined with other means of prevention.
• Criminalisation - With a growing trend for criminalisation of HIV transmission around the world, there has been a call to halt such a punitive practice. This is due to lack of evidence demonstrating that it actually reduces HIV transmission, and at the same time acknowledges that research is needed to investigate the impact such laws have on HIV prevention.
• Use of antiretroviral treatment as a method of HIV prevention (the Swiss Statement) – There was a healthy discussion among researchers about the implications of this as a prevention method. A compromise was reached, as researchers agreed that much more research still needs to be done. Meanwhile, a combination of treatments and traditional prevention methods (condom use), as well as ongoing dialogue with the gay community seem to be a more constructive way to deal with the issue.

Positive Life NSW had two representations at the Conference, with Kathy Triffitt presenting papers on our work in the areas of social marketing, peer support, advocacy and health education for people living longer with HIV, and our campaign “SEX PIGS: DARK AND DIRTY SEX AND MANAGING YOUR HEALTH”. Rob Lake also presented a paper on prevention and treatment issues for older gay men.

Our congratulations go to Tania Leinert for winning a prize for her poster on the experience of people living long term with HIV in the Northern Rivers. http://www.ashm.org.au/ashm08/