World AIDS Day and Sexual Health Campaigns...

It was World AIDS Day yesterday!!!

I hope you were all wearing your red ribbons to show your support for all those living with AIDS and HIV around the world!



I don’t know how many of you read the article in the evening standard yesterday stating that ‘London has 43% of the UK’s new HIV cases’. It’s kinda scary to see that figure to be honest (and before you all say its not a reliable source, they used figures from a Public Health England report). What’s scary about it is that in the current economic climate the NHS is undergoing a lot of cuts and budget reshuffling. Budgets for some specialised services such as HIV treatment are being reduced and in areas such as Lambeth and Southwark, where HIV rates are high compared to other areas, this could seriously affect the treatment and service available.

Being HIV positive doesn’t mean what it used to mean not long ago with those affected being able to live long, healthy lives post diagnosis. Working in an Outpatient pharmacy that handles HIV prescriptions I see the vast backgrounds of people that walk into the pharmacy with their prescriptions in hand. They range from range from different socio-economic backgrounds, ages, races and sexualities, but the treatment they receive doesn't differ although extremely expensive. I guess that's one of the beauties of the NHS, although whether it will be this way for long is a whole other debate.

Coming back to those figures in the Public Health England report, although the high rate of new HIV cases in the capital were attributed to unprotected intercourse, we can’t be sure of this. In my opinion, this could also be attributed to more people going to get tested. Especially with the current campaigns on billboards, bus stops and trains, more people are are aware of how quick and easy it is to get a HIV test. This provides another explanation for the rise in new cases, however, as the saying goes , its always better to be safe than sorry.


Also, last week my group and I ran a public health stall in  Kingston Hill on sexual health. This was quite an enlightening experience as I learnt a fair amount about sexual health, the most common STIs and their treatments. We had been planning the campaign for a month prior to the date, coming up with names, slogans, researching about the topic, contacting charities and GUM clinics, creating gift bags and games. The day was pretty hectic. We were constantly talking to people; from students to lecturers to just curious individuals. We advised, quizzed, played games and even ran from lecture room to lecture room inviting students and lecturers alike to visit our stall.

I actually learnt quite a lot. For example, I didn't know that syphilis is an infection that can spread to your internal organs and increase your chances of contracting HIV by a significant amount.  Or that majority of these conditions are asymptomatic and so you would need to get tested at least twice a year and with every new partner you have. Im so glad to have had the opportunity to do something like this and it definitely gave me the confidence to approach people and start up a conversation on such a sensitive and taboo subject.



Now to concur my public health campaign….

Also please check out @KuLove.Health on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram when you get a chance!
S.