World AIDS Day, observed December 1 each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection.

AIDS has killed more than 25 million people, with an estimated 38.6 million people living with HIV, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history.

Despite recent, improved access to antiretroviral treatment and care in many regions of the world, the AIDS epidemic claimed an estimated 3.1 million (between 2.8 and 3.6 million) lives in 2005 of which, more than half a million (570,000) were children.

The Red Ribbon is the global symbol for solidarity with HIV-positive people and those living with AIDS.

More information at; World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day 2007 Theme: Leadership

• Over 5,700 people died each day from AIDS-related illnesses in 2007.
• Over 6,800 people are being infected with HIV daily,
• About 1200 of whom are children under 15 and
• About 2,900 are women 15 years and older.
• The infection rates in young people ages 15-24 remain frighteningly high.

We know these infections and these deaths are preventable and avoidable if promises by countries to scale up access to prevention, treatment, care and support for all are to be fulfilled by 2010.

  Research Summary; Unsafe sex by people infected with HIV poses a grave public health risk. To examine whether alcohol use increases the likelihood of unsafe sex in people with HIV, investigators interviewed 262 patients from 2 HIV clinics. Alcohol consumption measures assessed use in the past 6 months and included drinking days, drinks per drinking day, binge drinking,* and hazardous drinking.**

In the past 6 months, 63 percent of patients had been sexually active,

• 38 percent had unprotected sex (i.e., no condom), and
• 21 percent had multiple sex partners.

All alcohol consumption measures were significantly associated with the likelihood of having any sex (odds ratios ranging from 1.5 to 2.9) and of having unprotected sex (odds ratios ranging from 1.4 to 2.7).

One-third of hazardous drinkers — compared with 9 percent of nonhazardous drinkers — were having both unprotected sex and sex with multiple partners.

Heroin and cocaine use did not significantly affect the likelihood of having any or unprotected sex.

Comments by Jeffrey Samet, MD, MA, MPH:

This study demonstrates a clear association between alcohol use and unsafe sex in patients infected with HIV. As the authors note, determining the basis of this association (e.g., risk-taking personality, lowered sexual inhibitions due to alcohol) requires studies that demonstrate the relationship between the two behaviors. Nevertheless, these findings support the case for assessing alcohol use among all patients with HIV.

• * 5 or more drinks per day for men, 3 or more drinks per day for women
  ** at least 1 binge episode, or greater than 14 drinks per week for men and greater than 7 drinks per week for women
• Reference: Stein M, Herman DS, Trisvan E, et al. Alcohol use and sexual risk behavior among human immunodeficiency virus-positive persons. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2005; 29(5): 837-843.

From; Join Together Online

See also;

• Brief-TSF can assist patients cease alcohol consumption.
• Twelve Step Facilitation
• 12-Step Treatment More Effective than Alternative
• Subscribe to Twelve Step Facilitation by e-Mail

Counseling Clients with HIV Disease: Assessment, Intervention, and Prevention by Mary Ann Hoffman Read more about this title…