Over one thousand Queenslanders now taking up free PrEP
MORE than 1,200 Queenslanders are participating in the state government鈥檚 $6 million four-year expanded PrEP trial as part of efforts to prevent HIV transmission.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick said the strong uptake demonstrated the high demand for the , which has filled more than half of its 2,000 places, less than five months after its launch.
鈥淭he research shows PrEP can dramatically reduce the risk of contracting HIV, so this trial really has the potential to positively impact the lives of Queenslanders at high risk of contracting the virus,鈥� he said.
鈥淲e still have 800 places available on the trial so we鈥檙e encouraging eligible Queenslanders to get involved.鈥�
Twenty聽Q-PrEP trial sites from the Gold Coast to Cairns and west to Mt Isa and Toowoomba are now operational, including sexual health services, general practices, and community-based organisations across Queensland.
The medication is free to trial participants.
Recent data shows that there have been 48 HIV notifications compared to 57 in the same period last year鈥攁 reduction of almost 16 per cent.
鈥淭his is an encouraging sign but the challenge now is to sustain this reduction which will require a strong response from the community,鈥� Dick said.
Increased testing for HIV and significant uptakes in treatment by HIV positive men in Queensland are highlighted by the release of the .
The survey shows more queer men testing for HIV, and more having regular tests. HIV-positive men on antiretroviral treatment increased from 70 per cent in 2012 to 96 per cent in 2016.
The findings were welcomed by Adjunct Associate Professor Darryl O’Donnell, CEO of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations.
鈥淭his is a great testament to Queensland’s efforts and the continuing responsiveness of communities to HIV,鈥� O鈥橠onnell said.
鈥淨ueensland is seeing striking year on year increases in HIV testing and HIV treatment.
“We can take real comfort that even after 35 years, gay and bisexual men remain engaged and proactive around HIV prevention and treatment.
“Results like these don’t occur by accident. They require enormous effort by community organisations that are trusted and credible with those who are at risk of HIV.鈥�
Just amazing results from QLD. With massive drops in sero conversions in some major areas attributed to PrEP and TasP, they punching way above their weight – and their funding level. At the end of the day the sero conversion rates are the metric to watch. Rates going down, things are working and people need to be congratulated for getting it right, rates going up there is something wrong that needs to be fixed. In this case its a big thumbs up and thank you to our QLD HIV, PrEP and TasP advocates.