Cuban gay men are most affected by AIDS

Cuban gay men are most affected by AIDS
Health and Medicine
02 / 11 / 2012

Unprotected sexual intercourse is the predominant mode of transmission
of HIV / AIDS in Cuba despite the work being done in prevention
campaigns. Specifically, the group of gay men are the greatest incidence
and prevalence of the disease occur.

Nearly nine of every 10 men contracted the disease that way. His
greatest vulnerability the conditions the interaction of biological,
psychological and social, said Dr. Maria Isela Lantero, head of the
department of STI / HIV / AIDS, the Ministry of Public Health.

Over 85 percent of those diagnosed are between 15 and 49, the remaining
are distributed to over 50, with a tendency to increase in men and women
over 60 years, said the newspaper Granma specialist.

Assessed as a priority to increase the scope and effectiveness of
prevention efforts, promote condoms, provide access to this health
product, to promote peer education and continue to increase volunteer
participation in prevention.

While recognizing that in theory it could be argued that advances in the
treatment of AIDS have become a chronic disease, "are still incurable
with treatment entities have a chronic course."

However, he stressed that the diagnosis of HIV has a meaning very
different from diabetes or hypertension, both the person and their
children, other relatives, neighbors, friends, coworkers or study.
Facing that reality can not be reduced only to therapeutic advances.

He argued that only through laboratory studies can confirm the
diagnosis, and the greatest obstacle in the world to increase access to
comprehensive care affected health and prevent transmission in the
population, is that many people who have HIV do not know.

In Cuba, people can easily access health services and our doctors know
the importance of providing basic information on sexually transmitted
infections before proposing and indicate an HIV test to all sexually
active do not use condoms consistently.

Be emphasized that the diagnostic test and know their outcome should be
borne by the population and practice self-care of their health in a time
when AIDS is among us.

Our country has nearly 200 laboratories that perform this test. In the
past year were 2.3 million, the most in the last five years, said the
expert.

"AIDS remains a disease with no cure. Living with HIV not easy for those
affected, their families and friends. Prevent it remains the best
option," summed up the specialist.

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