A “persistent stigma” remains around HIV in Ireland, despite progress in treating the condition.
The Cork Sexual Health Centre highlighted the stigma as revealed in its latest annual report. The report states that it provided 860 rapid HIV tests last year, as well as 677 HIV support and counselling sessions.
The chairman of the centre, Ciaran Lynch, said: “Whilst there have been very significant advances in the treatment of HIV and Aids over the last number of decades, there still is a big societal stigma associated with the condition.
“Dealing with the issue is both dealing with the condition itself but also the stigma that can be associated with it.
“A lot of that is a result of people being uninformed as to the progress that has been made in treating the condition since the early 80s. In the 80s, a diagnosis of HIV would inevitably lead to full-blown Aids.
“But the progress in the treatment has meant that most cases do not progress to Aids, and people can live a very fulfilling and very regular life with the treatment that is now available,” Mr Lynch added.
HIV is a serious, chronic illness that affects the body’s immune system. It requires treatment and management for life.
Earlier this year, findings published in the Irish Journal of Medical Science — which analysed over 6,000 serum samples from bloods tests ordered by GPs, which were tested in eight hospital laboratories — revealed that analysis of bloodwork from over 1,000 people from the Cork region found HIV antibodies in 1.05% of samples, approximately three times the national average.
It came as the HSE launched the “You, Me, and HIV” campaign to help reduce the stigma experienced by people living with HIV here.
Survey results released to coincide with the launch of the campaign showed that 70% of people do not know that a person with HIV cannot pass it to sexual partners when they are on effective treatment.
Mr Lynch said there is also a stigma around transgender issues.
“As society progresses and we see very progressive developments, such as marriage equality and tolerance of difference, new differences emerge and become visible, and that is where the transgender community actually is,” he said.
Those issues come with their challenges as well, as the previous ones did. There are the challenges of societal understanding and societal acceptance, and both go hand in hand
The centre’s executive director, Fiona Finn, said the relocation of the centre from Peter’s St to the South Mall means the team at the centre is now ready for “the next phase of its journey, continuing to provide vital services, raise awareness, and advocate for minority populations especially those living with HIV and trans people”.
The report noted that there was a 26% increase in demand for post-termination counselling at the centre last year, rising to almost 330 sessions. Meanwhile, 328 counselling sessions were provided for members of the LGBT+ community last year.
The centre has been in existence for more than 30 years, providing sexual health education, advocacy, and support services.
The centre says its focus is on “inclusivity and respect”, with services including pregnancy counselling, sexual health workshops, and rapid HIV testing, as well as serving as a collection point for SH24 self-test kits.