Download Campaign calls on at risk groups to get tested for

13 January 2008
NHSG/05/09
Campaign calls on at risk groups to get tested for blood borne viruses
Groups at risk from Hepatitis B and C and HIV in Grampian are being targeted in
a new campaign to encourage people to get tested for blood borne viruses.
The campaign is aimed at injecting drug users, sexually active people and people
traveling to areas where HIV and hepatitis B are more common.
Dr Helen Howie is Consultant in Public Health Medicine at NHS Grampian. She
said: "The prevention and detection of blood borne viruses continues to be a
local priority in Grampian. We are seeing increasing numbers of people with
hepatitis C HIV and chronic hepatitis B.
"We need to get the message to injecting drug users, because sharing needles
and syringes is the most common way to get hepatitis C.
"We also want to reach sexually active people and people traveling to and from
areas where HIV and hepatitis B are common. These infections are most
commonly transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse between men who
have sex with men and between heterosexual couples. In the last few years
there has been a shift towards heterosexual transmission of HIV, with the
majority of cases acquired abroad."
The campaign will raise awareness about the viruses and how transmission can
be prevented.
It is being mounted through a variety of media channels including Aberdeen
airport, railway and bus advertising and in universities/colleges.
The key message is to get tested if you have been ‘at risk’ by sharing needles or
having unprotected sex.
Across Scotland 453 new cases of HIV were identified in 2007, the highest
annual total since recording began in 1984. In Grampian 33 new cases were
reported from January to September 2008.
It is estimated chronic hepatitis C infects 38,000 people in Scotland, although
only 14,500 have been diagnosed. In Grampian 87 cases of hepatitis C were
reported from January to June 2008.
Last year 61 people were diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B in Grampian.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Background
The campaign is supported by information on the NHS Grampian internet site
about getting tested www.nhsgrampian.org/get-tested.
For example, it explains that having a blood test for HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C
does not affect current or future life insurance policies.
Further information is available from:

Your local GP surgery

The free healthline on 0500202030

The City Clinic (GUM Clinic), Woolmanhill Hospital 01224 555555

Log onto www.nhsgrampian.org/get-tested
It is part of a wider strategy that looks at risk factors for HIV and hepatitis both of
which are transmitted sexually and through drug misuse.
In May 2008 the Scottish Government launched Phase 11 of the hepatitis C
action plan. Improving testing and access to treatment for hepatitis C is an
integral part of the action plan.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/05/13103055/0
More statistics:
1. HPS Weekly Report -Health Protection Scotland (HPS) Table 10: Trends in
HIV and AIDS, Scotland by year of report/death and selected category; to
30th September 2008.
http://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/images/weekly_report/2008/0847/0847answertabl
e10.gif
2. Scotland’s Sexual Health Information 2008 -NHS National Services Scotland
(p.17)
http://www.documents.hps.scot.nhs.uk/bbvsti/sti/publications/sshi-2008-1125.pdf
3. HPS Weekly Report 24 September 2008 Vol 42 No.2008/39
http://www.documents.hps.scot.nhs.uk/ewr/pdf2008/0839.pdf
4. Hepatitis C Action Plan for Scotland: Phase 11:May2008-March 2011
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/05/13103055/0
NHS Grampian
Corporate Communications Department
Ashgrove House
Foresterhill
Aberdeen AB25 2ZA
01224 554400