In Austria, an average of one person was newly diagnosed with HIV every day in the past year. There were 376 people in total, the number was slightly higher than in 2020. The Austrian AIDS Association estimates that there are about 9,000 people infected with HIV in Austria – that is about 0.1 percent of the population of nine million people. With four demands on World AIDS Day on December 1, AIDS Hilfe Wien draws attention to those areas where urgent action is needed.
This year’s World AIDS Day motto was “Equalize”. Because the fight against inequality is particularly important in the field of the AIDS pandemic. It is not just about a joint fight against stigma and discrimination, but about equal rights – especially in relation to sexual health.
“There is not enough talk about sexual health. It is often still considered taboo to express our needs, desires, problems or even fears to others and this can lead to health problems,” says Andrea Brunner, Managing Director of AIDShilfe Wien. “On World AIDS Day this year, we are drawing attention to the fact that sexual health should be taken for granted. The right to positive access to sexuality, the right to sexual diversity, the possibility to talk openly about problems, but also equal and accessible access to tests, vaccinations or other preventive measures must be taken into account.”
There is also a need to improve the availability and quality of HIV treatment, testing and prevention so that all people are well served. This includes low-threshold and free access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). These are HIV medicines that are taken preventively by an HIV-negative person. If taken correctly, it is just as reliable protection as the condom. PrEP is available in selected pharmacies for 59 euros per pack (30 pieces), the costs and the necessary tests are not reimbursed by the health insurance. You also need a prescription from an HIV specialist.
In Austria, about 9,000 people are infected with HIV
However, it is estimated that almost ten percent of those affected do not know about their infection because they have not yet been tested and are therefore not yet treated. Nearly 42.5 percent of those affected only discovered their HIV infection in an advanced stage, according to the AIDS association. A late diagnosis – also late presentation – occurs mainly in people over 50 years of age and people who do not come from Austria. By 2021, about one in five people will be over the age of 50 at the time of diagnosis. MSM (men who have sex with men) is usually diagnosed earlier.
Reasons why the infection goes unnoticed for a long time may be a lack of risk awareness or fear of a diagnosis – also due to possible social discrimination. Fear, shame and low self-esteem – caused by discrimination – often lead to a poorer quality of life for people living with HIV, AIDS Hilfe warns. With effective therapy, the virus is below the detection limit and cannot be passed on.
Transparency and reference to the latest scientific findings are particularly important to educate young people in an age-appropriate manner and promote their sexual self-determination. This reinforces skills that enable them to recognize when boundaries are crossed in the real or digital living space.
Source: Krone
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