According to SPKC, Latvia has the highest number of newly diagnosed HIV cases in the EU, with 188 new HIV infections diagnosed last year.Latvia's 2022 rate is double the average for European Union countries, despite an overall decline in infection rates.
Only 4.5% of the population surveyed regularly takes an HIV test, according to the SPKC survey. Meanwhile, most people believe that "the infection does not concern me" or are not sufficiently informed about where to get tested for HIV.
In the SPKC's "Is everything as good as it looks?" campaign, for several weeks, the population of Latvia will be informed about the need for a regular HIV test and the possibility to take it anonymously and free of charge at HIV prevention points.
A special HIV testing booth designed by artist Elita Patmalniece will also be opened on the 1st floor of the shopping mall Riga Plaza, where everyone will be able to take an HIV test anonymously and free of charge, and receive counseling before and after the test. The testing booth will be open until 10 December.
According to the SPKC, 188 new HIV infections were diagnosed in Latvia last year. Of these, 131 cases were among men, while 57 were among women.
According to the SPKC, many cases are still being detected late. Last year, 45 people found out they were HIV-positive when they were already in the AIDS stage.
