Conditions ripe for spread of HIV in new group

The idea of having an association of HIV-negative people is well-intentioned, but the  risk of contracting HIV  may increase as members might develop a  “false sense of security,” Technical Director of the National AIDS Coordinating Committee (NACC) has warned. “The conditions are ripe for the spread of HIV in such a group,”  Dr Amery Browne said in an interview last Friday.

The first thing the NACC did when  the new association was highlighted in the media was to make contact with its managing director Nigel Lowhar to get additional information. The association was launched last Saturday in Champ Fleurs. Members will receive a “Hi-5 protection card” which will have their name, address, date of birth and date of their last HIV test. “The idea to pay money to join a social club and confine sex to that club is based on a shaky foundation, ” said Dr Browne. He explained that it can take several months, even  up to six months in a few cases, for an HIV test to show positive.

He said even if the public tested every two months, there may be persons who are not testing positive but they might be infected. “Imagine one person who is HIV positive entering the club,” Browne said. Members can also lower their barriers because they think everyone is negative. Browne thinks Lowhar recognises the challenge in getting people to use condoms in wider society but said getting compliance from members of an HIV negative association would  also be difficult. Browne said no where in the National Strategic Plan is such a concept found although the plan serves as a guide. He said HIV prevention is guided by the ABC approach — Abstinence, Be faithful and constant condom use. “Our biggest problem is multiple partnering. I don’t think this club will do anything to reduce that phenomenon. It may do more to increase it.”

Dr Browne said the Association could work against attempts to reduce stigma and discrimination because it excluded people based on HIV status. He said the HIV epidemic could be driven underground. “HIV has always been a silent, hidden epidemic.” He said more work is needed in getting people to go for testing. While he commended the promotion of HIV testing by the association, he said this should be done by everyone at risk and not just to get membership in a club. Dr Browne said a meeting has been planned with Lowhar and representatives of the Pan American Health Organisation, Caribbean Epidemiology Centre and UNAIDS. “We are glad people are thinking and talking HIV but we have to be careful what approaches we adopt,” he added.