Complacency over sex stuns health workers

Sexual health workers are dismayed that 17 years after the first New Zealander died of Aids a survey has found that many people are still not protecting themselves.

A global survey by condom maker Durex of 18,500 people, aged between 15 and 55, included interviews with 500 New Zealanders.

It found that although 53 per cent of New Zealanders were concerned about contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including the HIV virus which can lead to Aids, 32 per cent were not protecting themselves during sex.

The first New Zealander believed to have died of Aids died at Taranaki Base Hospital in April 1984.

Jane MacDonald, clinical director of Wellington's Sexual Health Service, said many people still incorrectly believed that HIV was a "gay man's disease".

Men who had sex with men remained the largest group with the disease, but the number of heterosexual cases was increasing, especially among people from high-risk areas such as Africa or Asia.

"I think a lot of people have an attitude of 'she'll be right', or 'it won't happen to me'," said Dr MacDonald.

The executive director of the NZ Aids Foundation, Kevin Hague, said the results reflected complacency.

"Despite what people are saying about being concerned, they are still not sufficiently concerned to change their behaviour."

Mr Hague said many people no longer saw Aids as a risk.

But new treatments which prolonged the lives of those with the disease meant more people were carrying the HIV virus.

He said many countries were pinning their hopes on the development of a HIV vaccine or on other new treatments.

"The reality is that the prospect of developing a successful vaccine is remote. HIV develops resistance to the available treatments faster than we can develop and deploy new ones."

Family Planning Association executive director Gill Greer said it was vital that people protected themselves against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

"Although many people are taking measures, it is worrying that some are still taking risks. It is a real issue for New Zealand because we already have increasing chlamydia and gonorrhoea statistics, which indicate high rates of unprotected sex.

"This survey shows only 22 per cent of people use a condom for casual sex and only 13 per cent ask their partners about their sexual history.

"These findings show a frightening lack of awareness of the need for people to manage their sexuality responsibly."

- NZPA

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