African communities

 

Members of New Zealand's African communities have the second highest prevalence of HIV in New Zealand.  Since 1996, more than 400 Africans have been diagnosed with HIV.  Most were infected overseas and were unaware of their HIV status when they travelled to New Zealand as migrants or refugees.  It is heartening to know that there have been very few new HIV diagnoses within the African communities from infections that have occurred in New Zealand.  Africans in New Zealand share a strong commitment to stopping HIV in New Zealand with gay and bisexual men.

If you have Unprotected sex, either vaginal or anal, you are at risk from STIs and from HIV if you or your partner are from a high risk group such as the African communities or men who have sex with men.  Most people living with HIV in New Zealand contracted the virus through Unprotected sex here or overseas in a high prevalence country.  This doesn’t mean that you have to stop having sex.  It means that to avoid HIV and other STIs you need to use a condom and water- or silicone-based Lube.

Related links

• New Zealand AIDS Foundation (NZAF) African information and staff
• Book an HIV FASTest at the NZAF
• Join the