NEGATIVE attitudes towards HIV, and those living with it, are discouraging people from talking about how to look after their sexual health and getting tested, a leading charity has said.
As Northern Ireland Sexual Health begins today, Positive Life NI said combatting the stigma around HIV is vital to promoting good sexual health.
Currently, there are more than 1,000 people living with HIV in the north, however, the charity estimates that there is also a further more than 200 people unaware they are HIV positive.
Jacquie Richardson, chief executive of Positive Life NI said: "If we’re going to encourage people to get tested, if we want to encourage people to take ownership and control of their sexual health, then we really need to combat the stigma that surrounds sexually transmitted infections, especially HIV".
"I deal with people every day who are living with HIV and it’s important for people to understand it's no longer the death sentence....It's a lifelong condition but a perfectly manageable one."
