Sexually transmitted infections among men are on the rise!

　　From January to May this year, 501 new cases of HIV infection were discovered in the city, an increase of 21.9% over the same period last year. Among them, men who have sex with men have the highest proportion of infections. This is the news disclosed by the Municipal Health Bureau yesterday at the Beijing AIDS Prevention and Control Work Conference in the first half of 2009.

　　Statistics show that from January to May this year, the number of new sexually transmitted infections was 341, a net increase of 137 over the same period last year. In terms of sexual transmission, the infection rate among men who have sex with men is on a rapid upward trend. From January to May this year, 221 new cases of HIV infection were discovered, accounting for 44.11% of all newly discovered infections, compared with 29.2% last year.

　　Deng Ying, director of the Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said that the proportion of HIV infection through sexual transmission is increasing year by year and has now become the main channel for HIV transmission in the city. This shows that the AIDS epidemic is spreading from high-risk groups to the general population. The infection rate among men who have sex with men exceeds that of high-risk groups such as drug users, ranking first. 　　As of May this year, the city has reported a total of 6,383 cases of HIV infection and AIDS patients, ranking 12th in the country, including 1,343 local residents, 4,722 residents from other provinces and cities, 247 foreigners, and 71 unknown cases.

　　According to the relevant person in charge of the Municipal Health Bureau, all second-level and above medical institutions will establish AIDS screening laboratories by the end of the year. In addition, in order to further improve the quality of AIDS antiviral drug treatment and prolong the lives of patients, this city will comprehensively launch second-line antiviral drug treatment for AIDS.

　　■Dialogue·Xie Hui, Deputy Director of the Disease Control and Prevention Division of the Municipal Health Bureau

　　women and children Health centers will offer free consultation and HIV testing

　　Reporter: Same-sex sexual behavior has become one of the main ways of transmitting AIDS. What measures does the health department take in this regard?

　　Xie Hui: We have specially set up "high-level cadre teams" (Volunteer Intervention Teams for High-Risk Behavior Groups) composed of disease control and public security personnel in 18 districts and counties to conduct free testing and screening in places where gay people gather.

　　Reporter: Most people are resistant to dedicated HIV testing clinics. How to ensure early detection of HIV-infected people?

　　Xie Hui: By the end of this year, maternal and child health hospitals in 18 districts and counties in the city and at least one comprehensive hospital at level two or above will be completed. Hospital , all must open AIDS voluntary counseling and testing clinics to ensure that they want to know their healthy People at high risk of contracting AIDS can enjoy free AIDS consultation and testing services conveniently and confidentially.