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Multiple gay partners, unsafe sex give rise to more HIV cases among men
Unsafe non-monogamous sex is responsible for the increase in the number of men being infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the latest report from the National STD/AIDS Control Programme shows.
Statistics for the first quarter of 2017 reveals that there have been 73 new infections (both males and females) of which around 27 males have contracted the disease by MSM (males having sex with males). This accounts for 50 percent of the male patients.
Of the 249 cases reported last year, around 90 were MSM cases.
According to the report, the cumulative figure of Sri Lankans living with the virus as of the first quarter of 2017 is 2,630 with 664 persons having developed AIDS.
Dr G. Weerasinghe, Consultant Venereologist of the AIDS Control Programme, attributes the high infections to non-use of condoms among men.
He said statistics revealed an alarming increase in the number of males contracting HIV due to their sexual orientation. It appeared that most homosexual men did not practise safe sex.
Also recent data show that for every identified HIV positive female there are three males infected with the virus.
A 2012 estimate by the World Health Organisation (WHO) places the number of female sex workers in Sri Lanka around 35,000-40,000.
Interviews carried out by the STD/AIDS Control Programme has found that 94 percent of the sex workers insisted on their clients using condoms, while only around 6 percent males admitted to using condoms when having sex with men.
The contributing factors in the increase of HIV in males include multiple partners and the lack of condom use during anal sex. Most of the HIV positive cases (both male and females) belong to the age group of 19 to 24.
Dr Weerasinghe said that while homosexuality was nothing new, the invasive sexual activity in men puts them at risk. Around 2 percent of the world population are homosexuals and others have gender fluidity depending on their environment and circumstances.
The AIDS Control Programme is planning to reach out to the homosexual community and encourage safe sex. The stigma attached to homosexuality in Sri Lanka is hampering in the identification of this group. “We are planning to reach out to them through non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and through the media,” he said.
According to the AIDS Control Programme statistics, the HIV seropositivity rate is only 0.02 percent, which is two persons for every 10,000. The aim is to achieve a 90 percent decline by 2025. “We are planning to achieve our target by preventing new infections and AIDS deaths,” he said.
Twenty HIV treatment centres have been opened in several districts. More centres are being opened in places such as Monaragala and Kalmunai.
Additionally, free condoms are being distributed through government clinics and NGOs.
Institutions are using peer groups to identify and create awareness among HIV infected people and encourage them to seek treatment.
The AIDS Control Programme is also working with some MSM (males having sex with males) organisations to identify and encourage them to seek treatment.