The Canary Islands closed a 2018 with a total of 5.213 affected by this virus; 272 new infections in 2018, a figure that has continued to increase throughout 2019.
These new data are alarming for the medical community. This high incidence can trigger the spread of the HIV virus in the Archipelago. This was recently reported by the Regional Ministry of Health of the Regional Executive, on the occasion of the celebration of World AIDS Day.
Canary Islands, a higher incidence of HIV cases
According to the data in the information record of new HIV infections, the 65,4% of new diagnoses it's conformed men who have unprotected relationships with other men, a 27,2% correspond to relationships heterosexuals also without protection; and only 1,8% are attributed to people who use drugs. The Canary Islands reflect an incidence higher than the national average (12,78 cases per 100.000 inhabitants).
An important aggravating factor in the face of new diagnoses is youth, 12% of new infections occur among people under 25 years. This is a very worrying reality since, after diagnosis, these young people will need to follow a treatment for life.
HIV, what factors have caused him to be reborn?
The historical increase in the islands is due to several factors. The first and possibly more worrying is the loss of fear from contagion. Nowadays with the advances of medicine it is known that a person “HIV positive” can live for many years with the help of new drugs. Drugs that have demonstrated their great effectiveness in improving the quality of life of people with HIV. Nevertheless, the health system cannot sustain such an increasing number of people with HIV They are going to require life treatments.
We have accessed this information: “The number seropositive patients treated in hospitals of the Canary Islands, during the year 2018, has been of 6.668 what a antiretroviral cost of € 33.585.199,8".
Another no less important factor is the change in the relationships that are being lived in today's society. The different technological applications for sexual encounters They are becoming more common. These applications have radically facilitated the way and frequency in which sex is maintained, many times carried out without protection.
La lack of social awareness It is a problem that affects us all, for our current and future society. Therefore, the motto of World AIDS Day has been this year “People make a difference" The main objective of the campaign is that people who have the disease know it and can have access to quality assistance and prevention services so that they can have a good quality of life.
World AIDS Day has become one of the most recognized health days and represents an opportunity to remember those who have died, create awareness and celebrate victories like the access to prevention services and antiretroviral treatments.
