HIV DynamicsMonitor
December 5 2001
New research from Taylor Nelson Sofres Healthcare (TNSH) shows that over half (54%) of all HIV infections in the UK are from heterosexual contact - an increase from 37% last year.
The HIVDynamics Monitor study, which details more than 2,000 HIV patients in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, shows some interesting trends:
- HIV infection through heterosexual contact has also increased in Italy rising from 28% last year to 47% this year.
- In Spain and Italy over half (52%) of all HIV infections are due to drug abuse compared to just seven per cent in the UK.
- Spain and Italy also report much lower transmission rates through homosexual contact than the rest of Europe (18% compared with 50% in Germany and 40% in the UK).
HIVDynamicsMonitor also tracks the treatment of HIV, and data collected in July and August this year confirms that triple therapy with anti-retroviral drugs is by far the most common form of treatment. Across the five major European healthcare markets, just over 80% of patients receive their antiretroviral therapy in a triple drug regimen. However, in the UK there was a small reduction in the number of patients receiving triple therapy in favour of the simpler dual therapy, compared with last year.
HIVDynamicsMonitor also confirms that the key driver of treatment choice in all five countries is efficacy. Within this, reduction of the viral load far outweighs the longevity of any reduction or the increase in CD4 counts.
According to Alan John, Divisional Director of TNSH, 'The data gathered in HIVDynamicsMonitor is enabling us to build a better picture of the HIV patient and understand the dynamics of anti-retroviral therapy. However, the reported increase in heterosexual contact as the route of infection in the UK and Italy is particularly worrying and may show that the impact of past educational campaigns has fallen. If this is the case, then governments have a role to play in introducing fresh initiatives in this area, especially among the younger age groups.'
All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.
