Terrence Higgins Trust is launching a series of HIV information leaflets for African communities to coincide with World AIDS Day on December 1st. Comedienne Gina Yashere is backing the publications, which have also been supported by Barclays.

The leaflets - 'HIV & sexual health', 'Condoms', 'HIV testing', and 'Sexual Health Clinics' - will inform people about how HIV is transmitted, how to prevent HIV using condoms, and where to go to get an HIV test and treatment. They will also explain what to expect if you visit a Genito Urinary Medicine Clinic (GUM) or sexual health clinic.

According to Health Protection Agency figures, over 22,000 people from ethnic minority communities are currently living with HIV in the UK and are under the care of an HIV specialist. The majority, (15,750) are black Africans, and over 3,000 black Africans were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2005.  But the true number is higher still, as a third of people living with HIV do not know they have the condition and have not been tested.

Marc Thompson, Programme Development Manager at Terrence Higgins Trust said:

"We hope that these leaflets will dispel the myths surrounding HIV and give people the information they need to protect themselves.

"We also know that people from African communities are more likely to be living with undiagnosed HIV because they have not been tested. So it's vital that we encourage people who may have put themselves at risk to be tested."

Gina Yashere, a supporter of Terrence Higgins Trust backed the leaflets saying:

"HIV is such an important issue today. We can't ignore it and it won't go away by itself.  That's why I'm supporting these leaflets by the Terrence Higgins Trust. If you don't know your HIV status or if you're not sure how to protect yourself then get hold of a leaflet or check out the website and get your facts straight."

Terrence Higgins Trust has also produced a leaflet on PEP (post exposure prophylaxis), treatment which can reduce the chances of HIV infection if taken within 72 hours of exposure.

You can get a copy of the new leaflets by visiting www.tht.org.uk/publications or by calling the Terrence Higgins Trust helpline, THT Direct on 0845 12 21 200.

Ends

For more information please contact the Terrence Higgins Trust Press Office on 0207812 1623.

Notes to Editors

• The leaflet on PEP (post exposure prophylaxis), treatment which can reduce the chances of HIV infection if taken within 72 hours of exposure, is available for download on the link below or from the Terrence Higgins Trust helpline, THT Direct, 0845 12 21 200.
  http://www.tht.org.uk/informationresources/publications/?pubId=17311
  
  
• Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity, providing a wide range of services to over 50,000 people a year.  The charity also campaigns and lobbies for greater political and public understanding of the personal, social and medical impact of HIV and sexual health.
   
• About Barclays:
  
  
• Barclays runs one of the most comprehensive business-led programmes combating HIV/Aids in Africa, which is home to almost two-thirds of the globe’s HIV infected population. The programme includes free anti-retrovirals for staff and their families, and community based education.
  
  
• At Barclays we're really proud of our leading community investment programme and are taking our responsibilities seriously - investing £39.1 million in 2005.
  
  
• We're focusing our support in the areas where we can use our knowledge and expertise to make the biggest difference to key social issues. In the UK, this includes programmes about money education, debt advice, financial inclusion and getting people into work.
  
  
• We also strive to strengthen the local communities in which we live and work, and are investing £30 million over three years in grassroots sport through Barclays Spaces for Sports.
  
  
• It's important to us that we encourage and enable our people to get involved in the causes that they care about most. More than 26,000 Barclays employees received direct support for their volunteering and fundraising last year, to the benefit of more than 7,500 charities and community groups. We're delighted and humbled by their fantastic achievements.
  
  
• For further information about the Barclays Community Investment Programme please visit www.barclays.com/community