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THT launches new campaign on poppers and unsafe sex

Not to be sniffed at

Wednesday, 19 December 2007

The Terrence Higgins Trust is alerting gay men about the risks of using poppers (nitrite inhalants) when having unprotected sex.

The campaign strapline: “Poppers increase the risk of HIV being passed on when fucking without condoms” highlights the fact that if you have anal sex without a condom the risk of passing on HIV is increased if you use poppers. The campaign is being launched in response to new research which investigated seroconversions (becoming HIV positive) among gay men. A major finding from the study was that poppers use during unprotected anal intercourse appeared to be a key risk factor in acquiring HIV. 80% of men in the study who tested HIV positive used poppers compared to 58% who remained negative.

Marc Thompson, Deputy Head of Health Promotion said: “Sex without a condom is already risky but many people might not be aware that if you sniff poppers there’s an increased risk of HIV transmission if you have unprotected sex. Research shows that poppers are the third most used drug by gay men after alcohol and tobacco so it’s vital that all gay men, irrespective of HIV status, are aware of the risk.”

A new edition of the popular Exposed! Magazine featuring Big Brother housemates – Richard Newman and Gerry Stergiopoulos will also be published to support the campaign.

For further information check out [url]www.biology.chapsonline.org.uk/poppers.aspx