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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