Austria's struggle against HIV: AIDS help Vienna demands more information

Von WOM

For the upcoming World Aid Day on December 1st, the AIDS Hilfe Vienna urgently appealed to the new government of working more for sexual health in Austria. The organization emphasizes four central demands, since despite stagnating new HIV diagnoses, awareness and education among the population are inadequate. This means that people who are tested positively are often discriminated against while the numbers of other sexually transmitted infections increase.

Current statistics show that around 8,400 people in Austria live with HIV, although the new infections have recently remained constant. However, the AIDS help Vienna points out that even diagnosed people are not at risk to others if they are treated in good time. This treatment can reduce the viral load to a non -detectable level, so that the risk of infection is minimized. Nevertheless, a significant need for information about the correct handling of HIV-infected people is necessary to take action against discrimination

discrimination in healthcare

The fact that 70 percent of the reported discrimination in the health sector takes place is particularly alarming. Mirijam Hall, chairwoman of the AIDS help Vienna, emphasizes that educational work urgently needs to be done here. For example, it is not unusual if, when visiting an HIV-positive patient, exaggerated precautions such as double nitrile gloves are still required. This is not only unnecessary, but also counterproductive for the protection of discrimination and the education in the health sector.

Another concern of the AIDS help is to improve school sex education. In a current survey, almost half of the 14 to 20 year olds stated that he had no access to contraceptives. To counteract this, there has been a pilot project in Vorarlberg since autumn that provides free contraceptives in schools. This is a crucial step to increase the education and access to important resources. However, there is a need for clear specifications and better training of the teaching staff to ensure a consistently high standard in sex education.

New Center for Sexual Health in Vienna

In view of all of these challenges, the AIDS Aid Vienna plans the establishment of a “Center for Sexual Health” in Vienna Mariahilf. This should be completed in two years and offer a central point of contact for tests, advice and prevention. The aim of the center is not only to close existing supply bottlenecks, but also to create a space in which people have access to the necessary information and resources to actively improve their sexual health.

For more information about the efforts of the AIDS Hilfe Vienna, interested parties can read at aids.at information about the current prevention reports that underline the urgency of these topics.