Recent data from the Ministry of Health indicates an increase in HIV diagnoses among men in Fiji. Dr. Rachel Devi, the head of family health at the Ministry, stated that this trend has prompted health officials to investigate the factors behind this shift. Historically, the rate of HIV diagnoses between men and women in Fiji was nearly equal, but in the past three years, there has been a notable rise in cases among men.
Dr. Devi noted that currently, around 70 percent of new diagnoses are among men, while women account for approximately 30 percent. She suggested that this might be linked to an increase in bisexual men or men who have sex with men, or possibly improved testing among the male population.
In contrast, the consistent testing of women, especially during pregnancy, has resulted in a stable number of diagnoses for females. Each year, about 20,000 women receive HIV tests as part of routine antenatal care, which has contributed to these steady rates among women.
The Ministry acknowledges the need for further research to understand the shift in gender distribution regarding HIV diagnoses. The data reflects concerns within the male population that warrant additional advocacy and research to address the emerging trends.