INTRODUCTION

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are on the increase in the United Kingdom (UK), with an estimated 7,800 reported new HIV infections in 2008, bringing the total of people living with HIV infection or AIDS to 77, 800 according to Health Protection Agency (HPA) Report of 2009. A third of these 77,800 people are undiagnosed, meaning that they do not know that they have HIV infection or are living with HIV infection.

There is a need for voluntary counselling and testing in the community, away from the hospitals or genito-urinary medicine (GUM) Clinics.

Community Health Action Trust (CHAT) is leading the way with a campaign “Better to know than not to know” rapid finger-prick test for HIV infection. The results of the finger prick test are ready within the hour.

• Other figures or numbers for thought from the HPA Report (2008):
  Almost 1 million sexual health screens carried out at genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinics
  
• 621,000 new STI diagnosis
  
• 972,000 HIV tests offered to clients in GUM clinics
  
• 706,000 accepted to take the HIV tests
  
• 52,000 people living with HIV infection or more accessed HIV care in UK.

The most affected groups or populations in the United Kingdom are of black and minority ethnic groups (BME), and men having sex with men (MSM).