Information about HIV and AIDS for Africans living in England

Throughout the 1990s there has been a steady increase in the number of HIV infections diagnosed among African people living in the UK.

In 2000, there was 3,551 new cases of HIV and of these 1,233 (35%) were described as being of Black African ethnicity, making them the second largest group with HIV in this country.

There remains a significant amount of denial and stigma attached to being HIV positive within African communities, as fear of prejudice, discrimination and being rejected by family, friends, church members and the wider community are often strong reasons for not wanting to know that you may be HIV positive.

What is HIV?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and is a virus that attacks, and damages the body's defence (immune) system against infection and disease.

What is AIDS?

A person said to have AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome) when they develop certain illnesses as a direct result of their weakened immune system's failure to fight off infections.

How is HIV passed on?

There are main ways HIV can be passed on:

By having penetrative sex without using a condom with someone who has HIV
By sharing needles, syringes or any other injecting equipment that is infected with HIV
From a woman with HIV to her baby during pregnancy, at birth or through breast-feeding
Through being transfused with HIV infected blood

The majority of African people with HIV have acquired it through penetrative, mainly heterosexual, sex or from mother to baby transmission.

Why should you consider going for an HIV test?

Do you use a condom each time you have sexual intercourse?
Are you able to talk about using condoms?

You are at risk of HIV infections if you have had unprotected sex (by not using a condom) or sharing needles to inject drugs.

You may see HIV as not being relevant to you, or you do not see yourself being at risk of HIV. You may feel well, look healthy and think that you are not infected.

You may be right, but then again, you could be wrong, and the virus inside your body is already weakening your immune system.

African women are more vulnerable than African men in acquiring HIV because of social, biological, religious, political and economic reasons.
African people should not assume living in the UK for long periods protects them from HIV. You do not have to visit or live in Africa to become infected with HIV
Giving birth to a healthy baby who does not have HIV does not mean that you and/or your partner are HIV negative
Having protected sex for a time or unprotected sex with only one person does not protect you from HIV. A person could look fit and healthy but still be positive, because it can take a number of years for an HIV-related illness to develop
Being in one or several established sexual relationships does not protect you from HIV. You could be making assumptions about your sexual partner's HIV status or sexual history.

Where do you go for a test?

You can go for a test in any Sexual Health or Gum (Genito-Urino Medicine) clinic in any part of the UK, although you may need to make an appointment in some clinics. (Private clinics and some GPs also offer HIV testing).

Testing for HIV is a free and confidential service, regardless of your immigration status and does not need a referral from a GP.

You can ring the African AIDS helpline or the National AIDS Helpline and they will be able to advise you where to go for a test.

African AIDS helpline provides information and advice on available services and support on HIV and sexual health to African people living in England. The Helpline is a free and confidential service providing advice on sexual health issues and information on HIV transmission, testing and treatment.

All the helpline Advisors are of African origin and pride themselves in providing a quality and effective service in a number of African languages on a range of HIV related issues.

African AIDS Helpline

Free - Confidential - Safe to call

Tel: 0800 0967 500 - 10a.m. - 6p.m.