New research reveals 73% of straight Brits have never tested for HIV even though 40% of all new diagnoses are heterosexual people.
Despite this rise, straight Brits are unaware of their increased risk of infection, with over 1,000,000 believing they cannot contract the virus.
At the start of HIV Testing Week, Newfoundland Diagnostics is encouraging the nation to get tested and has introduced a new HIV test, which is easy to use at home and is available at Tesco at an affordable price.
The study conducted by Newfoundland Diagnostics explores the attitudes, behaviours and perceptions of HIV in the UK, highlighting a need for better education and awareness around the virus, with over a fifth of straight Brits (21%) stating they believe they are unlikely to contract HIV, leading them not to test for HIV.
Other reasons for heterosexual people not testing for HIV include never having unprotected sex (18%), not having access to an HIV test (4%) and not being bothered to test for HIV (3%).
This lack of education has seen a staggering 73% of heterosexual Brits having never tested for the virus, ironically echoing the infamous tombstone ads of the 80s – ‘Don’t Die of Ignorance’.
The research exposes a clear hangover of the AIDS epidemic despite advances made by popular media such as Channel 4’s ‘It’s A Sin’, which led to a sharp increase in HIV-related Google searches including ‘Can women get AIDS?’ (2,150%) following the first episode’s airing.
Despite media attempts to change perceptions around HIV, it’s clear there is more educational work to be done to improve the nation’s testing habits and routines.
As the diagnosis rate amongst straight Brits rises, testing figures for HIV remain staggeringly low. Notably, only 1 in 11 (9%) of Brits have been tested multiple times for HIV.
With these alarming figures, Newfoundland Diagnostics is aiming to change attitudes towards testing, raising awareness of the education issue and providing access to tests in a bid to help the nation know their status.
Frederick Manduca, co-founder of Newfoundland Diagnostics, said: "Whilst testing does seem to be increasing in the long-term, these findings reveal there remains a substantial amount of ignorance towards testing and its importance amongst heterosexual people.
“Our aim is to use our platform to begin chipping away at the misconceptions surrounding HIV, making it clear that HIV does not discriminate based on sex, gender or sexuality, and that there is power in knowing your status.
“Let’s use this year’s HIV Testing Week to continue changing perceptions, raising awareness and fighting stigma to eradicate this virus from existence.”
The Newfoundland Diagnostics HIV Test (RRP: £17.99 for one test) – the easiest test on the market. Available now via Newfoundland Diagnostics and in Tesco stores across the nation.
Top 5 reasons straight Brits are not testing for HIV
1. Believe they are unlikely to contract HIV (22%)
2. Never had unprotected sex (18%)
3. Have not had access to HIV test (4%)
4. Believe they cannot contract HIV (3%)
5. Can’t be bothered to test for HIV (3%)
Common Qs on HIV answered by Newfoundland Diagnostics
What is HIV?
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which targets the immune system and reduces the body’s ability to fight everyday infections and diseases. If left untreated, HIV can lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). While AIDS cannot be transmitted from one person to another, HIV can. Thanks to today's medicine, those with HIV can lead full, healthy lives providing they receive and maintain treatment upon early diagnosis.
What is HIV Testing Week?
National HIV Testing Week runs from Monday 5 February until Sunday 11 February and is coordinated by the Terrence Higgins Trust. The annual campaign aims to promote HIV testing, raise awareness about HIV, and reduce the stigma surrounding the virus. The week-long event encourages individuals to get tested for HIV, know their status, and take steps to protect their health.
Who should test for HIV?
Despite a focus on gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men testing for HIV, anyone who has unprotected sex, exchanges bodily fluids or shares needles should regularly test for HIV. HIV can infect anyone regardless of sexuality, race, gender, sex or age.
How do I test for HIV?
All HIV tests will check your blood for any blood-borne diseases and are available as part of a regular STI check up. You can visit a GUM clinic or sexual health practice for a test, or you can test at home with a self-test such as Newfoundland Diagnostics’ HIV test.
How do people get HIV?
HIV is found in the body fluids of someone living with HIV, including semen, vaginal and anal fluids, blood and breast milk. The most common way of getting HIV in the UK is through having anal or vaginal sex without a condom. HIV cannot be transmitted through sweat, urine or saliva.
Newfoundland Diagnostics HIV Test
The world's first integrated, finger-prick blood test to screen for HIV. The at-home self-test detects antibodies to HIV Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) and/or HIV Virus Type 2 (HIV-2) in blood.
The Newfoundland HIV Test is an easy-to-use screening test for HIV that provides a quick and accurate result in just 15 minutes with a simple finger-prick sample. This test provides >99% accuracy.
Newfoundland’s test is the easiest test on the market for patients, with a study finding that 90% of participants found the test easier to use than a multi-component test kit. This is thanks to an all-in-one test that requires low blood volume and fewer user steps resulting in fewer errors.
Other tests available online have multiple components with three individual bottles to transfer blood samples through. Not only does this make it a confusing experience for the patient, but there is a higher chance of potential contamination and misuse, affecting the final result.
As the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations continues to entertain football lovers across the world, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are working extra to make the East Africa’s ‘Pamoja Bid’ a reality. This will be history for the three East Africa nations to host the 2027 Africa football extravaganza. A vote conducted by members of the CAF’s committee during the meeting in Cairo on the 27th of September last year, the joint candidacy of Kenya Uganda and Tanzania beat other bids from Senegal, Egypt and Botswana.
In the year 1996, Kenya was given the opportunity to host the football fiesta by CAF but were latter stripped off due to lack of stadiums. This is a route that most Kenyans do no want the country to take with the cabinet sitting last year December to kick start the milestone of doing the infrastructure. The cabinet which was chaired by president William Ruto said Kenya hosting AFCON would help in the growth of football in the country with the national team also targeting the 2030 world cup qualifications.
Kasarani Stadium-Nairobi
“As a stepping stone towards the target of Harambee Stars qualifying for the Fifa World Cup in the year 2030, Cabinet approved the proposal to host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027, alongside EAC partner states. Cabinet noted that the joint bid would deploy the power of sports in furthering regional integration," cabinet's resolutions.
Tanzania has played in three Africa cup of Nations with Uganda gracing the tournament in seven different occasions. Kenya has appeared in six AFCON tournaments with the latest on being in the year 2019 where they were eliminated in the group stages. With the host nations spared the struggles of qualifying for the tournament, there will be need to have more friendlies to avoid the embarrassments of leaving the competition early.
Kenya has already started the journey of renovating and building new stadiums as required by CAF that the AFCON host must have six stadiums in readiness for the tournament. In Kenya, Nyayo and Kip Keino stadiums were handed over to the Kenya Defence Forces for the renovations with Talanta Stadium being built to international standards before the end of 2025.
While inspecting the Bukhungu stadium in Kakamega county, the Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba said that the Kasarani stadium will be completely unavailable for use for at least 16 – 18 months as it undergoes renovations in preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
“For instance we have closed Kasarani Stadium already, and so international events like the Kipchoge Keino classic, which is an international event, we have had to find an alternative venue for it (Nyayo Stadium).
Namboole Stadium
“All teams that use Kasarani for their home Kenyan Premier League games have had to be relocated to alternative venues because that stadium is going to be inaccessible for at least 16-18 months as we seek to completely upgrade it and overhaul it.”
Completion of the 42,000 seater Nambole stadium in Uganda is a step in the right direction for the ‘Pamoja Bid’. Uganda will also provide venues in Hoima and Lira where new stadiums will be built. In Tanzania, Benjamin Mkapa Stadium is being refurbished with new venues earmarked in Zanzibar and Arusha.
While many East Africans are still not aware of the opportunities that comes with hosting such kind of a continental show piece, the benefits are immense. The transport sector will receive a big boost ferrying spectators to the stadiums. Visitors, athletes and various media personalities from all over the world will inject money in the hotels and tourism sites. This is an opportunity for the East Africa Community with clock ticking before CAF does the last inspections.
The pressure gauge of a wellhead valve at the Uniper SE Bierwang Natural Gas Storage Facility in Muhldorf, Germany, on Friday, June 10, 2022. Uniper is playing a key role in helping the government set up infrastructure to import liquified natural gas to offset Russian deliveries via pipelines. Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg , Bloomberg
(Bloomberg) -- Tanzania Petroleum Development Corp. has doubled its stake in the Mnazi Bay natural gas field operated by Etablissements Maurel & Prom SA as part of plans by the East African nation to increase government participation in strategic projects.
TPDC signed an agreement with the French company on Saturday to boost its share in the gas-producing prospect south of the country to 40%, after purchasing a 20% stake from the Paris-based company for $23.6 million. Maurel & Prom — before the latest transaction — controlled 80% of the Mnazi Bay gas field.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan is pushing for Tanzania to boost production of natural gas and build pipelines to export it to neighbouring countries including Uganda, Zambia, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in a bid to accelerate economic growth. Mnazi Bay has proven natural gas reserves of 641 billion cubic feet and currently produces around 48% of Tanzania’s gas, according to Mussa Makame, managing director of the Tanzanian oil explorer.
The two companies plan to invest $100 million in the project to expand gas compression infrastructure and boost drilling, according to Nicolas Engel, general manager of Maurel & Prom Tanzania.
Tanzania has total recoverable natural gas reserves of 57.54 trillion cubic feet and needs to invest up to $550 million at the Mnazi Bay gas field alone to boost production, Hassan said.
A new report released today titled "Humanitarian Visas in a Hostile Environment", offers first-hand insights into the experiences of individuals arriving in the UK through the Hong Kong BN(O) and Ukraine visa schemes and shows that 'significant concerns persist' around the restrictions faced by visa beneficiaries.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham and Lancaster University, draw on qualitative interviews with 43 Hong Kongers and Ukrainians to offer a comparative analysis of the UK's suite of 'safe and legal (humanitarian) routes'. Centring the voices and perspectives of visa holders, the report explores both the experiences of applying for these visas and everyday life in the UK.
The key findings of the report - published three years after the Hong Kong BN(O) visa was introduced on 31st January 2021 - reveal a significant gap between the government's rhetoric surrounding humanitarian visas and the real-world experiences and challenges faced by beneficiaries. The study highlights the interplay of geopolitical factors, historical context, and individual circumstances in shaping the decision-making process of those relocating to the UK under these bespoke provisions.
Differences in access to rights and entitlements led to distinct challenges for Hong Kongers and Ukrainians. Hong Kongers faced difficulties in accessing suitable housing, limited access to public funds, and issues related to the recognition of their professional qualifications. Ukrainians experienced a prevailing sense of temporariness and uncertainty due to time-limited visas and no route to long-term settlement.
Prolonged unemployment and downward occupational mobility were common challenges for both groups. Hong Kongers faced issues with educational qualifications recognition and obtaining the Certificate of No Criminal Conviction (CNCC), while Ukrainians encountered language barriers.
In the context of the UK's post-Brexit migration regime and increasing restrictions on asylum, the report highlights concerns regarding the temporary nature of protection for Ukrainians and restrictions in access to public services for Hong Kongers.
Professor Nando Sigona, director of the Institute for Research into International Migration and Superdiversity at the University of Birmingham and co-author of the report, stated:
"Our findings underscore the need for a closer examination of the implications of these humanitarian visa schemes. The UK government often refers to them to demonstrate its continuing commitment to international protection, but these schemes are no alternative to the asylum system; at best they can be complementary. Significant concerns persist with the visa schemes, especially regarding the temporary nature of protection for Ukrainians and the restrictions and costs faced by Hong Kongers."
Professor Michaela Benson, co-author of the report from Lancaster University, added:
"These insights come at a crucial juncture as the UK continues to evolve its policies on humanitarian issues. The report serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, advocates, and the public to better understand the realities faced by those seeking protection through these highly selective visa schemes".
The report concludes with a call for a more nuanced approach to address the challenges faced by visa holders, particularly in areas such as employment, educational qualifications recognition, and access to housing.
Pictured- A student at Grove Park Community Special School plays the Babel Drum
To mark Children’s Mental Health Week 2024 (5-11th Feb 2024), Percussion Play highlights how making music in the great outdoors can improve a child’s mental health and how music therapy can support all aspects of the curriculum and a child’s development.
This year’s theme for the week is My Voice Matters and is about empowering children and young people by providing them with the tools they need to express themselves. The awareness week was founded by Place2Be in 2015, which provides mental health services in over 500 schools across England, Scotland and Wales. Around three children in every primary school class have a mental health problem and many more struggle with challenges from bullying to bereavement.
Percussion Play, the world-leading manufacturer and designer of outdoor musical instruments, has a wealth of research dedicated to the benefits of music-making outdoors. Its White Paper, Hitting the High Notes, highlights that music is an invaluable resource when it comes to maintaining and improving children’s mental health; it sparks creativity, inspires innovation, stimulates emotional response and development.
Research has consistently demonstrated the positive impact of music and musical engagement on both mental health and child development. Likewise, the effects of exposure to green space, daylight, and fresh air on mental and physical wellbeing have been proven to be similarly crucial. Access, therefore, to outdoor musical instruments is sure to maximise the benefits of both time spent outdoors and musical participation to provide an active solution for the improvement and maintenance of children’s mental health.
Music therapy benefits cognitive, emotional, and social issues as well as the physical needs of people. It has proven to be an effective way to help alleviate symptoms and provide a sense of inner calm to people. For this reason, music therapy is becoming an increasingly popular form of holistic 'healing'.
Music can be a great way to express yourself even when you may not know how to. Outdoor musical instruments are perfect for children who fancy experimenting and expressing themselves through music without the humdrum of traditional scales, ideal for parents and teachers keen to introduce a child to the world of music while encouraging creativity and self-expression. Designed to kick-start the creative juices, their simple pentatonic scales ensure an instant and gratifying musical experience, with the focus on drawing out the inherent musical nature of all children through play.
Percussion Play is seeing an ever-increasing interest in its inclusive outdoor instruments that are played across the world in schools, camps, libraries, parks, hospitals and senior living communities. Percussion Play’s instruments are designed to bring people together to create uplifting music. Its mission is to inspire people musically, promote curiosity, and provide opportunities for meaningful musical engagement outdoors.
A recent case study of Percussion Play’s instruments at Grove Park Community Special School can be viewed here. The primary school in East Sussex enhanced its outdoor space with Percussion Play’s instruments to provide music therapy for its students.
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