Thursday, March 29, 2007 |
In this issue: |
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Support Worker Moves Over and OutHIV Edmonton is sad to say good bye to Denise Marcel who has been filling in as our Social Worker for the past while. This is the second time Denise has helped us out in times of need. Our only regret we didn't scoop her up before being hired by Boyle McCauley Health Centre to work in Community Outreach. Congratulations to Denise on her new position. We know she will be successful at this new role, and look forward to her "outreaching" HIV Edmonton. Again, out thanks to Denise for all of her excellent work with our clients.
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Gonorrhea Cases Increase in Western U.S., Could Signify Rise in HIV Cases, MMWR Study Says(This report has significance in Western Canada as well considering our gonorrhea cases are too on a steady increase) (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report) The number of gonorrhea cases has increased in eight Western U.S. states, and an increase in the sexually transmitted infection often is associated with a rise in other STIs, including HIV, according to a study published in the March 15 edition of CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the Los Angeles Times reports. According to the study, gonorrhea cases increased 42% from 2000 to 2005 in the West but decreased 10% nationwide. CDC in 2005 reported 360,000 new cases of gonorrhea nationwide, the Times reports (Chong, Los Angeles Times, 3/16). The eight states are Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington. The increase in gonorrhea cases was found in both men and women, as well as in people in most age and racial and ethnic groups, Bloomberg/Salt Lake Tribune reports (Brown, Bloomberg/Salt Lake Tribune, 3/15). Researchers are unsure why the STI has increased in the West but attributed the increase in part to risky sexual behaviors and methamphetamine use, according to Lori Newman, a study co-author and CDC epidemiologist (Los Angeles Times, 3/16). The study found that gonorrhea testing in the eight states increased 87% from 2000 to 2005, compared with a 14% testing increase in eight nonWestern states, which might in part explain the increased number of cases, Bloomberg/Tribune reports. >> Click Here
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(Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report) Stigma and a lack of education and prevention efforts are fueling the spread of HIV in Afghanistan, the New York Times reports. According to the Times, there are 69 recorded cases of HIV in the country; however, some health officials say the actual number of cases is much higher. The World Health Organization estimates that about 1,000 to 2,000 Afghans are HIV-positive. Nilufar Egamberdi, a World Bank consultant on HIV/AIDS, said the WHO estimate is "not even close to reality." According to the Times, Afghanistan "faces the additional vulnerabilities of countries emerging from conflict -- lack of education and government services; mass movements of people; and a sudden influx of aid money, commerce and outsiders." In addition, Afghanistan's proximity to Russia, China and India -- which have some of the fastest-growing HIV/AIDS epidemics worldwide -- and the migration of its residents are fueling the spread of HIV. The country, which produces the largest amounts of opium and heroin in the world, has about one million injection drug users, according to United Nations estimates. In addition, about 30% of blood used for transfusions in the country's hospitals is screened for HIV, according to a World Bank report.
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Male circumcision important in HIV preventionWHO and UNAIDS announce recommendations from expert consultation on male circumcision for HIV prevention 28 MARCH 2007 | PARIS/GENEVA -- In response to the urgent need to reduce the number of new HIV infections globally, WHO and the UNAIDS Secretariat convened an international expert consultation to determine whether male circumcision should be recommended for the prevention of HIV infection. Based on the evidence presented, which was considered to be compelling, experts attending the consultation recommended that male circumcision now be recognized as an additional important intervention to reduce the risk of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men. The international consultation, which was held 6-8 March 2007 in Montreux, Switzerland, was attended by participants representing a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, civil society, researchers, human rights and women's health advocates, young people, funding agencies and implementing partners. >> Click Here
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Polish Law Could Hinder Access to HIV/AIDS InfoHRW Says Proposed Polish Law That Would Ban Discussions on Homosexuality Could Hinder Access to HIV/AIDS Information (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report) Human Rights Watch on Monday in a letter to Polish Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski said that a law proposed in the country that would ban discussions on homosexuality in schools violates freedom of speech and could deny children access to HIV/AIDS information, London's Guardian reports (Connolly, Guardian, 3/20). The legislation, proposed last week by Deputy Education Minister Miroslaw Orzechowski, would allow teachers to be fired for promoting what it called "homosexual culture." According to the AP/International Herald Tribune, the bill does not define clearly what is meant by homosexual culture but seems to include basic information about HIV/AIDS and lessons promoting tolerance toward men who have sex with men (AP/International Herald Tribune, 3/19). Education Minister Roman Giertych said the aim of the proposed law is to "prohibit the promotion of homosexuality and other deviance." He added, "One must limit homosexual propaganda so that children won't have an improper view of family." President Lech Kaczynski has given his support to the law (Guardian, 3/20).
>> Click Here
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Global Youth Assembly 2007
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24-Hour, Non-Credit On-Line Course in HARM REDUCTIONCourse SummaryHarm reduction is a term that refers to a specific set of approaches and corresponding policies that underlie those approaches to reduce risks for people who use drugs and/or engage in behaviours that put them "at risk". Increasingly harm reduction is deemed to be a realistic, pragmatic, humane and successful approach to addressing drug problems of individuals and communities. This 24 hour non-credit online course is designed to introduce service providers, administrators and policy makers to the basic principles, philosophy and application of harm reduction. April 23rd – June 15th 2007 Click Here
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Sexual Pursuit: Not a Trivial Game
ON SALE NOW!!! You can order this CD-ROM by contacting Robert at (780)488-5742, ext 230 or by emailing men@hivedmonton.com
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Let Us Help Promote Your EventIf your organization is holding a workshop, seminar, conference, or other learning and knowledge sharing opportunity, please feel free to send it along to Robert at men@hivedmonton.com or call (780) 488-5742, ext: 230 for more details.
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