Guarding against an HIV epidemic within an Aboriginal community and cultural framework; lessons from NSW

James Ward; Snehal P. Akre; John M. Kaldor

doi:10.1071/NB10015

RESEARCH ARTICLE

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Guarding against an HIV epidemic within an Aboriginal community and cultural framework; lessons from NSW

James Ward ^A ^B , Snehal P. Akre ^A and John M. Kaldor ^A

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, University of New South Wales

^B Corresponding author. Email: jward@nchecr.unsw.edu.au

NSW Public Health Bulletin 21(4) 78-82 https://doi.org/10.1071/NB10015
Published: 27 May 2010

Abstract

The rate of HIV diagnosis in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in Australia has been stable over the past 5 years. It is similar to the rate in non-Indigenous people overall, but there are major differences in the demographical and behaviour patterns associated with infection, with a history of injecting drug use and heterosexual contact much more prominent in Aboriginal people with HIV infection. Moreover there are a range of factors, such as social disadvantage, a higher incidence of sexually transmitted infections and poor access to health services that place Aboriginal people at special risk of HIV infection. Mainstream and Aboriginal community-controlled health services have an important role in preventing this epidemic. Partnerships developed within NSW have supported a range of services for Aboriginal people. There is a continuing need to support these services in their response to HIV, with a particular focus on Aboriginal Sexual Health Workers, to ensure that the prevention of HIV remains a high priority.

References

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