subject: Populations Most At Risk For Infection With Hiv [print this page] Although it is true that all people do have some risk of being infected with HIV through accidental contact with the virus certain groups of people have a much higher risk of being infected than others. These groups typically engage in risk taking behaviour and so increase the chances of being exposed to the virus, and thus infected with the virus, through these behaviours. This article is going to take a look at a few of the groups of individuals who fall into the high risk category for contracting HIV.
Male to male sexual encounters
It was amongst the male homosexual population that HIV was first noticed. Since that time it has become evident that male to male sexual encounters carry a high risk of passing the virus from one partner to the other. It was found that, in 2009, over two thirds of the new infections within the United States occurred within this group of individuals. Further study into the matter indicated that approximately 61% of new infections in both adolescents and adults occurred as a result of male to male sexual contact. This is in contrast to the 28% of new infections caused by heterosexual contact in the same study. It is evident from this data that engaging in male to male sexual practices vastly increases the chances for contracting the virus.
Heterosexual practices amongst women
Although the previous paragraph indicates that here is less risk for contracting HIV through heterosexual practices than homosexual practices in men, the risk of contracting HIV is highest in women through heterosexual practices. A study conducted in 2009 indicated that only 12% of new infections in men were the result of heterosexual practices whilst 86% of new infections in women were the result of heterosexual practices. This lead the researchers to the conclusion that promiscuous behaviour in women greatly increased their risk of contracting the virus. This is true for all age groups, not only the young. An increase in the infection rate amongst older individuals was also seen in related studies and was attributed to the misconception that older individuals were not at risk for contracting the virus and that, as a result, protection was not required during sexual intercourse.
Injected drug use
In the years prior to 2009 it was found that many new infections of HIV occurred as a result of injected drug use. A study in 2009 found that the previous incidence of over 60% had decreased to approximately 8%. This indicate that work done in the area to decrease the chances of infection spreading as a result of intravenous drug use has been effective. However, although the incidence of new infections as a result of intravenous drug use has decreased a great deal many of those diagnosed were not aware that they were infected or had even been exposed to the virus.
It is evident that certain behaviours do increase your risk for infection a great deal. In the event that you do engage in any of these behaviours it is advisable that you attempt to cease this activity and make certain of your HIV status.
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