Men top list of new HIV cases in Dominica

Coordinator of National HIV/AIDS Response Programme, Julie Frampton
Coordinator of National HIV/AIDS Response Unit, Julie Frampton

Coordinator of the National HIV and AIDS Response Unit, Julie Frampton, has said the island continues to see an increase in new cases of the deadly virus HIV, which causes AIDS, with men topping the list.

She said more men are being tested positive for the disease as compared to women.

“In terms of the HIV status in Dominica, we continue to see more men testing positive…. that trend continues,” she stated. “So we encourage persons to get tested and do what you have to do.”

She said despite this, many people in Dominica have no difficulties in knowing their HIV status.

“We see people coming to get tested, people have no difficulty coming to get tested,” she explained. “People are very open in coming to know their HIV status and we think that’s a plus for the country, it shows the level of awareness of people on Dominica and we hope that attitude continues.”

She pointed out that it is always good when  people know their status and get treatment early which in turn leads to long and productive lives.

“Instead of staying there not knowing your status or, even though you know your status, you are afraid to come forward then you just get suddenly ill,” Frampton said.

She went on to say that those who test positive for the disease must be ready for treatment.

“The health care provider may tell you, you need treatment, you may say I am not ready to deal with that yet, so we will work with you and get you to the point where you will agree…but not too long, not too late,” she explained.

Frampton said in general people adhere to treatment.

“There may be one or two people you will have to go at them and get them, but more often than not people are very adherent and keep their appointments and come for their treatment,” she revealed.

She remarked that the unit needs to undertake what she described as ‘targeted interventions.’

“When we say we are doing well, we are doing well with what we know of, what we see but we need to go further and do targeted interventions for other populations or for other people who may not want to come forward to get tested … so those are the population we have to try and reach,” she noted.

She revealed that there are over 80 people in care for HIV in Dominica with 56 of them on treatment.

“It’s not everybody who is positive that needs treatment,” Frampton stated.

Meantime; Frampton noted that in relations to persons going out to get tested, the stigma of discrimination still exists.

“We can see stigma and discrimination affecting persons coming to get tested, that’s an issue…,” she said.

Frampton said also that the unit is targeting all age groups from 16 and above and she is encouraging everyone to come forward and get tested.

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25 Comments

  1. Cah-C-Bruce
    July 25, 2015

    Reciprocal Monogamous relationships my good people. Do not become corrupted by the western world. Dominica does not have the infrastructure to handle an AIDS crisis. Let us go back to our roots. Stop running around and being led by your urgings. Life is too precious

  2. Caretaker
    July 24, 2015

    The fact is, more men tested positive than women. A woman who cannot have children sex a different man every day of the week, so, to every one woman, seven men catch the disease. Why not take a leaf from Mr. Austrie, Put all the single parents in one location because they all have something in common. Do the same to the women who cannot have children so we all will be able to identify them. Make the country a safer place

  3. Les Markroy
    July 24, 2015

    The information is not sufficient to draw any conclusions on why one sex is testing positive rather than equall rates. Things to consider the ratio of tested individuals to the number of positive cases.
    Many things must be considered education level of individuals, economic status, the reasons why individuals have the test done, and other social and other norms .
    One important aspect is the infected population doing their share, as well as ” clean individuals” being aware and committed to HIV/AIDS prevention. Also very important individuals sexual preferences whether that is a determined or major factor in the virus spread.

  4. The Real Facts - ON
    July 23, 2015

    There is no turning back. HIV AIDS is a scourge of the twenty-first century, dating back to the twentieth century. Contributing factors are: godlessness – sins of the flesh, homosexuality, promiscuity, prostitution and infidelity.
    It is unfortunate so many have contracted this deadly disease including youths. The world has lost many of its nationals through HIV AIDS and will continue to do so until the end of time.
    Governments of the world know it and yet some of them legalized this so-called same sex marriage which is an abomination to the Lord, thereby encouraging, more so to this scourge.
    The US government wants to re-define marriage and make it between a man and a woman obsolete. They will do so in their courts but little do they know and as mortally and spiritually ignorant they are, do not consider that God is displeased and He does not approve of it nor bless it.
    A US politician said, the Supreme Court is not the Supreme Being. Amen!

    • July 24, 2015

      The US Government (and other governments) that have decriminalized buggery and legalized same sex “marriages” have made a massive contribution to the spread of HIV.

      When it comes to legislation pertaining to sexuality governments want to be a law unto themselves. Some of what they make “legal” in men’s eyes is an abomination to God. In His sight they are guilty of murder when they make legal a practice that often results in one of the hardest deaths known to man.

      It was not a coincidence that historically AIDS followed on the heels of the sexual revolution. It was the natural outcome of ignoring the Word of God and breaking His commandments.

      Added to this is another grim reality which will soon play itself out on the world stage. Mr. Obama and every other national leader who has legalized same sex “marriage” has taken his (her) nation out from under God’s protection. The worst is coming.

      Please read 2 Peter 2:6, Jude vs. 7.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill…

      • The Real Facts - ON
        July 24, 2015

        You can imagine their eternal punishment. They do not know that they are digging their graves and deep enough and placing eternal burning coals on their heads. One day they will find out too late where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
        Our God is patient.

      • The Real Facts - ON
        July 25, 2015

        I have been hearing that they could also change the teaching of the Holy Bible to suit them. God is not amused with these people.
        Their next move will be to force all especially Christian churches to marry them. Thinking of this is already shocking me even more.
        I heard this on US Catholic Radio. Former US President Jimmy Carter was interviewed on US secular TV. He was asked a question and he replied: “Jesus is not displeased with homosexuals.” This means He approves it. This is shocking to hear.
        A man of his stature and he makes such a blasphemous statement. It goes to show those who hold (held) high positions think they are more intelligent than others. He lacks godly enlightenment. I would love to write that man and set him straight, if only I could.
        Jimmy Carter will find out about his error one day.

      • Tamia Lazer
        July 25, 2015

        Ok Rev whoever, real cukoo, that is kindergarten analysis you just posted. So if its all due to homosexuality why is it that the rates are much higher among heterosexuals? If god is punishing the earth for turning away from his laws and the old ways why is earth being rewarded with longer lives, healthier lives and the eradication of diseases that use to decimate whole nations? These people so obsessed with gays and denying them any rights or hating them despite the very bible they quote saying the greatest commandment of them all is love, must all be closet gays so they really hate themselves and trying to hate others to cover it and make themselves feel better. If I am not gay why would those who are gay be a threat to me? History of those most opposed to allowing gays any rights shows how right I am

  5. timb
    July 23, 2015

    There are a lot if down low men in Dominica… Wake up people…u all really believe the only gay men are the few that we know of….

    That’s still strange though…women usually have a higher rate of infection because 1 man spread the disease amoung several women…
    Is the gay population more open about their s3xual preference in Dominica…I know the women are…I see them on Facebook

  6. truththe
    July 23, 2015

    Thanks mrs. Frampton for information. We would appreciate a table showing the number of cases by age and sex. Also we need to know how many cases died from the inception of the first case diagnosed, this i believe is very important for the country. We live in a scientific era.

  7. Tamia Lazer
    July 23, 2015

    Very astute analysis with respect to the fact that in men on men sex the participants may be more careless since they figure they dont have to worry about pregnancy. The same phenomenon apply to men sleeping with women who they figure are on the pill as was noted in many North American jurisdictions. This though has nothing to do with any punishment from god for men being gay, its simply human stupidity in not protecting your life simply because you want to have “greater pleasure” being “bareback” during sex. Astoundingly stupid but not any sign from god as you so irrationally propose, that is just your homophobia talking. Another reason may be due to the increase use of drugs and corresponding sharing of needles among males. The point is we can hypothesize but unless a study is done to determine why the rise in incidence among males in DA we are left simply shooting in the dark for answers.

    • July 24, 2015

      More men are testing positive because they are homosexuals who were infected by sex with infected gay men.

      HIV spreads from homosexual men who are bisexual to prostitutes, girl friends and wives. Some of these men are “on the down low.” Theses are men who are gay and pretend to be straight. They are married and have sex with their wives but they have gay sex on the side.

      AIDS would be eliminated within a generation if people would put a stop to sexual immorality. The disease is spread by fornication which includes all illicit sex, prostitution, and mainly by homosexuality.

      God will forgive those who are guilty of these sins if they will believe in Christ as their Savior.

      1 Corinthians 15:1-4

      Romans 1:16

      John 3:16,36

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

      Homosexuality is the main cause for the spread

  8. ArAb
    July 23, 2015

    Why are more men testing positive than women?

    – Is it that men are more willing to come out than women? I believe not. The same way men value their lives are the same way women do.

    – Is it that men are more promiscuous than women? In a first relationship maybe the men are but it balances off. For every good man there is a good woman and for every bad man there is a bad woman. Therefore I can’t use that as an example
    – Now what have we really seen on the rise in our country and in the world. There are more men with men. I think we can see that was not meant to be by the All Mighty. There is an increase in men rather than women because more man want to lay with man. The fact that they can’t get pregnant makes them think less of using a condom. Therefore there is a rise in HIV in men, which I see as a form of punishment from above.

    I am not saying that is to blame for HIV, I am saying that this is a major contributing factor to these increases in men; in my opinion.

    • Zandoli
      July 23, 2015

      You are such as idiot. You have your anti-gay bias but your analysis (and I am being generous with that word) is flawed on many levels.

      What you wrote is pure rubbish without any basis on fact.

      • July 24, 2015

        There is no “anti-gay bias” in ArAb’s comment. And please! The use of the word “idiot” is totally out of place. I would think this discussion could be kept on an intellectual level among educated people.

        This is somebody who speaks out of his (or her) understanding of the subject.

        AIDS is a serious illness that causes fear, broken families, discomfort, pain, and death. I for one am so glad help is being found. People are living longer with the disease and thank God they can now have a better quality of life if they get tested and into treatment. But please do not fault somebody for expressing their thoughts on the subject. Don’t rail on somebody for sharing whatever knowledge they have. This is not being bias.

        Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. D.D., Evangelist.

      • Tamia Lazer
        July 25, 2015

        Zandoli you are right u are just calling the wrong person idiot. it is the Good Rev that is the real idiot frankly.

      • Alex
        July 25, 2015

        Zandoli, you are the bigger idiot. Keep your mouth shut.

    • timb
      July 23, 2015

      Yep…I think more men are getting tested than women….

      What are the age range of these men and why did they get tested??? We’re they sick or just wanted to know their status

      All pregnant women take an aids test right….

      • July 24, 2015

        I hope people get tested before they actually become ill.

        People should get tested if they know there is a POSSIBILITY they may be infested. If their test is positive they should get into treatment immediately. That way with the modern treatments they have an excellent chance of living a relatively long time and having a good quality of life.

        Research continues. New drugs are being tested with encouraging results. Better treatments are being offered. Fear has kept many people from getting tested. But there should be no fear of being tested, only of not being tested.

        I also believe pregnant women should be tested.

        Dominica is doing good work in the treatment of AIDS, and also in learning to prevent transmission of HIV from mothers to children. I follow it on DNO. I expect your nation to be a world leader. Thank God for people like Julie Frampton and others like her and all who work in the field.

        Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

  9. grell
    July 23, 2015

    This is sad news,and uneployment leads to drastic changes in lifestyles,the government is not producing any work for the young people.Yet the effects of hiv will climb higher in the future,these young men will in turn pass the virus to the unknowing you women,i pray for my loving country daily.yOUNG MEN PLEASE PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THIS DEADLY DISEASE.

    • Working Class
      July 23, 2015

      Grell what exactly are you saying? How does Government come into this equation. In terms of HIV education and awareness, there has been a dedicated unit, and awareness programs for as back as the 90s.

      Lifestyles, promiscuity, increase in bisexual persons , influence of television, people choosing not to use a condom, and a drastic change in our culture specifically among young adults are a few contributing factors.

      It is also useful to add that more women would do the screening, it’s just that more men are testing positive! One premise for saying this is the fact that HIV testing is compulsory for pregnant women.

      Your choices are your responsibility.

      • July 25, 2015

        It is the same in my country. People blame whatever government that is in power for “not producing jobs”. Eventually they rant and rave until they get them booted out. Then the next government does no better.

        How on earth does a government “produce jobs”? What button do they push? What lever do they pull? Before the pundits begin to fill the DNO screen with their answers let me just ask why is it a change of government never “fixes” the problem?

        A while ago it was announced here in Canada that x number of new jobs had been created under a particular politician’s rule and there was great rejoicing. Then a month of so later it was announced that most of the jobs were seasonal or temporary, and many of the others were self employed “handyman” type of jobs. No problem with such work, its good. But this is hardly the same as a job being “created” and actually no credit to a politician.

        Continued …

    • FAST N FURIOUS
      July 23, 2015

      You make no sense, idiot. For your information many with good jobs are affected. What has the Government has to do with your private personal lifestyle? God only help those who help themselves lazy good for nothing.

      • July 25, 2015

        Continued…

        Sorry, but some people don’t want to work. Here in Canada we have people who if they can’t
        get the kind of job they had before or what they enjoy doing they will sit at home and draw unemployment insurance (UI) or live off some other government benefit.

        Young people should be encouraged to stay in school as long as possible to be better equipped
        for the working world. Provide guidance to help them decide what it is they would like to do for a living. Governments should look into the possibility of providing more courses in the high schools to teach the trades and technical subjects. We need more specialized schools to train young people for the trades. More should be done to make it easier for young people to get
        into such programs.

        Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

    • The Real Facts - ON
      July 23, 2015

      You blame the government for everything. God will not judge the government for their personal and social sins. i.e., their ungodly lifestyle and how they wish to immorally conduct themselves. So get off the government’s back.

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