HIV test results from the I-CHECK campaign gathered by the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) yielded significant results. In two months, out of 15, 621 who participated in I-CHECK, 193 or 1.24% tested positive for HIV and 108 (56%) were successfully referred to medical treatment after consultation. Furthermore, four out of 589 who opted to use the saliva test tested positive for HIV and accepted referrals for medical treatment.

The I-CHECK campaign established 101 I-LEADER recruitment centers and 439 I-CHECK consulting and inspection centers through, which they recruited 342 young people as new I-LEADERS. On January 18, 2013, Taiwan CDC held a press conference, “I-CHECK: Throw Your Troubles Aside” for I-LEADERS and their recruitment centers to participate in friendly contests. Fifteen I-LEADERS, five I-LEADER recruitment centers, and five health bureau recruitment centers were awarded brand new 3C products, including digital cameras, smart phones, and PC tablets, and gift vouchers, for their exemplary service and further encouragement.

Yong-le Fan, who has forged a strong, trusting relationship with a testing center in Taichung after going there for testing, received first prize as an I-LEADER. After Fan took part in I-CHECK, he began actively encouraging his friends to also get tested. In fact, I-CHECK is a good motivator and reason to get tested for HIV and a great way to get friends to take stock of their own health.

Vanessa, a Kaohsiung resident, has long invested in promoting HIV testing. It was not uncommon for her to encourage and accompany her homosexual friends to get tested after spotting inexplicable rashes on their hands, and then hear that they tested positive. Such incidents help her appreciate the importance of HIV testing and inspire her to promote safe sex and early screening. Another fellow advocate named White said that he often incorporates the topic of AIDS, condom use, HIV testing, and other related issues in dialogues with various community leaders to promote the importance of HIV testing in smaller, more exclusive niche groups that are inaccessible to outsiders.

According to Taiwan CDC statistics, as of the end of 2012, there are currently 24,239 HIV-positive people in Taiwan; 2,224 of whom were infected within the past year. These striking numbers are the third highest in the history of the AIDS census. For the first time since the AIDS epidemic in 1995, the number of HIV-positive individuals notified of their affliction exceeded more than 2,000 in a single year. The most common route of infection is still through unprotected sex practices among men, which accounted for 77% or 1,718 people surveyed – a 15% increase since last year. Worryingly, the number of infections among 15 to 24-year-olds also continues to rise with 2,224 new cases reported this year. More than half, 54%, discovered their condition during routine appointments or check up on other illnesses, 15% through anonymous testing, and 8% through the I-CHECK program – evidence that the campaign is effective in identifying new cases of HIV.

In recent years, the number of AIDS cases among 15 to 24-year-olds has been on the rise. In 2012, there were 635 young people aged 15 to 24 who tested positive for HIV, compared to 543 or (17% of those tested) in 2011. During the past five years, the number of AIDS cases has grown at a pace of more than 10% annually in correlation with an increase in the number of people coming in for testing. The greatest increase is seen in niche communities where more than 90% of the population contracted the virus sexually, most commonly by eschewing safe sex. According to studies on bar culture, 40% of test subjects have used ecstasy, ketamine, LSD, PCP, amphetamines, and other illicit recreational drugs. Using such drugs makes people more vulnerable to unsafe sex, and increases the trend of HIV infections and outbreaks in younger populations. Taiwan CDC has made a special appeal to address the rising number of AIDS contracted by young people. AIDS prevention education should begin as early as possible. In fact, parents should keep in mind the importance of educating and communicating with their kids, become more involved in their children’s day-to-day lives and stay informed about their children’s dating statuses. Instilling habits in young people to protect themselves will help reduce the threat of AIDS.

Many people feel that AIDS is an issue far removed from their personal lives. However, Taiwan CDC warns the risk of contracting AIDS is pertinent so long as sex prevails. Using a condom and water-based lubricant is the best method to protect against AIDS during sex. If you have any AIDS-related questions, visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Care Hotline, 1922 or 0800-024582 if calling from a cell phone.