Record HIV rate revealed

New Zealand has posted its highest HIV diagnosis rate since records began more than two decades ago.

Last year, 183 people were diagnosed with HIV, figures released today by the AIDS Epidemiology Group at Otago University show.

That is the highest annual total since records began in 1985 and a 17 per cent increase on 2004.

Of the 183 new diagnoses, 89 were homosexual men (up 19 per cent on 2004), 35 men and 38 women were infected heterosexually (no increase on 2004) and six were children diagnosed with HIV through mother-to-child transmission.

Four of the children were born in New Zealand to mothers who had not been diagnosed with HIV.

There are also more people living with HIV in New Zealand than before. An estimated 1800 knowingly live with HIV, but up to a third could have the virus and not know it.

The AIDS Foundation said the figures are a warning that people must take responsibility for keeping themselves and their sexual partners safe.

Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier said prevention is still the best option.

She said: "A properly used condom is close to 100 per cent effective against the virus and HIV screening of all pregnant women would practically eliminate mother-to-child transmission."

The increase could be due to the success of HIV treatments causing people to be less worried about avoiding HIV and the growth of internet dating, which increased the opportunities men had for sex.

Other factors could include the integration of the gay community into the "mainstream" making it harder to target HIV prevention messages, and the eroticisation of unsafe sex, she said.

The foundation has already embarked on Auckland specific campaigns and these would be followed up with further initiatives.

- additional reporting NZPA