Monitoring the effectiveness of HIV and STI prevention initiatives in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland: where are we now?
Primary and secondary prevention are essential components of the response to HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We present findings from nationally implemented HIV/STI prevention interventions. In 2003, of those attending STI clinics at least 64% of men who have sex with men (MSM) and 55% of heterosexuals accepted a confidential HIV test; 88% of all HIV infections in women giving birth in England were diagnosed before delivery; 85% of MSM eligible for hepatitis B vaccination received a first dose of vaccine at their first STI clinic attendance; 74% of STI clinic attendees for emergency appointments, and 20% of those for routine appointments were seen within 48 hours of initiating an appointment; the National Chlamydia Screening Programme in England found a positivity of 10% and 13% among young asymptomatic women and men, respectively. Prevention initiatives have seen recent successes in limiting further HIV/STI transmission. However, more work is required if current levels of transmission are to be reduced.
Brown
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AE
HIV and STI Department, Health Protection Agency Centre for Infections, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK. alison.brown@hpa.org.uk
Tomkins
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SE
Logan
L E
LE
Lamontagne
D S
DS
Munro
H L
HL
Hope
V D
VD
Righarts
A
A
Blackham
J E
JE
Rice
B D
BD
Chadborn
T R
TR
Tookey
P A
PA
Parry
J V
JV
Delpech
V
V
Gill
O N
ON
Fenton
K A
KA
D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014850:Waiting Lists
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines