A large proportion of heterosexually-acquired HIV

With the rise in the numbers of those who acquired their infections heterosexually, there has been an increase in the numbers of women diagnosed. The number of new diagnoses in women in recent years has risen, from 6 in 1999 to 68 in 2006 (17% to 43% of total new positives) although a decrease in new diagnoses in women has been observed since. In 2009, 27% of all new HIV diagnoses were in women. Since 1999, all pregnant women have been offered an HIV test as a routine part of antenatal care.

A large proportion of heterosexually-acquired HIV infection in men is acquired overseas, usually in areas of Africa with a high prevalence of HIV infection. In 2009, nine new diagnoses were reported as being contracted through heterosexual contact from within the UK and 26 contracted heterosexually from overseas of which 14 were contracted in Africa.

Cumulatively, the majority of newly diagnosed infections have occurred through sex between men. This group remains at greatest risk of acquiring HIV infection within the UK including Wales.

The number of newly diagnosed HIV positives in Wales reporting injecting drug use as their most likely source of infection has remained low at less than 5 diagnoses per year since 2001.

In total, 89 individuals reported probably contracting HIV through other means which include receiving contaminated blood/tissue products and from mother to infant. Heat viral inactivation treatment of blood concentrates and blood donor screening was introduced in the UK in 1985.

New infections acquired since 2002 via blood/tissue products were aquired outside of the UK.

Data from the SOPHID survey which collects annual data on people resident in Wales receiving treatment for HIV/AIDS indicates that the number of people living in Wales and receiving treatment for HIV/AIDS was 1082 in 2008, giving a prevalence rate for HIV/AIDS in Wales of 37 per 100,000 population. This compares to 468 people in 2002. Data for 2009 is not yet available.

This increase in prevalence in recent years reflects an increase in new diagnoses but also improved survival due to better treatments and the immigration of people into Wales who have acquired their infection overseas.

In 2008, prevalent cases were most frequently (38%) 35 to 44 years old and reported as having an asymptomatic clinical stage of infection (46%). There was an increase in the number of cases in those aged 45 to 54 years (from 205 in 2007 to 250 in 2008), while all other age groups remained stable.

The SOPHID data also indicates a wide geographical variation in the rates of HIV in Wales, with the highest prevalences recorded in the urban centres of South Wales and along the North Wales coast.

More details about the prevalence of HIV in Wales using SOPHID data is available from the report: HIV and STI Trends in Wales Report: March 2010 (PDF, 457KB) [data to the end of 2008]