More Africans acquiring HIV in UK than previously thought

HIV infection among Africans in the UK may be substantially different to what previously thought, according to experts.

Based on new research, a report in the January issue of the AIDS journal says that of the HIV-positive members of the British African community, between a quarter and a third may have contracted the virus while in the UK.

Furthermore, it also states that almost half of African men with HIV who have had sex with other men could have been infected in this country.

The journal article states: "These estimates are likely to worsen given the increasing HIV prevalence and assortative sexual mixing in this community, especially among heterosexuals.

"HIV prevention interventions for Africans must focus on reducing transmission within the UK as well as addressing infections acquired abroad."

This contrasts greatly with the most recent report from the Health Protection Agency, which suggests that of the new diagnoses among black Africans in the UK in 2007 "the majority had acquired their infection heterosexually and in Africa".