The information requested is shown in the following table.
Persons for whom probable country of infection was reported, the proportion who acquired their infection outside the UK (percentage) 2001 72 2002 76 2003 75 2004 74 2005 68 2006 63 2007 55 Notes: 1. Figures may include some records of the same individuals, which are unmatched because of difference in the information supplied. 2. Figures for recent years may rise as further reports and/or additional information are received. 3. Data is to end of June 2008. Source: Health Protection Agency
The Department is addressing reducing undiagnosed HIV infection in a number of ways, including increased investment in targeted HIV health promotion work to improve HIV testing uptake for those most at risk, namely gay men and people from African communities. This has resulted in an increased uptake of HIV testing in Genito-Urinary Medicine clinics from 61 per cent. in 2001 to 85 per cent. in 2006 for gay men and from 41 per cent. to 72 per cent. in heterosexuals.
In addition, the offering and recommending of an HIV test to all pregnant women has resulted in an estimated 90 per cent. uptake in 2006 and a dramatic fall in the proportion of women giving birth to HIV positive babies.
Also, through funding the publication of HIV for non-HIV specialists: ‘Diagnosing the Undiagnosed’, we are providing detailed guidance to support improved detection and diagnosis of HIV in the UK. A copy has been placed in the Library.
We are also inviting proposals for new pilots on action to reduce undiagnosed HIV following publication in June of ‘Health Inequalities: Progress and Next Steps’. A copy of this has been placed in the Library. Funding of £400,000 is available to support the pilots this year. This will support implementation of the UK ‘Guidelines for HIV testing 2008’, prepared by the British HIV Association, the British Association of Sexual Health and HIV and the British Infection Society, and published in September 2008.