More than half of HIV patients seen by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) during the past twelve months were heterosexual, according to new figures.

Of the 1,309 HIV positive people who attended the Trust’s HIV clinics throughout 2013, a total of 707, or 54 per cent, were heterosexual.

The figures continue to counter the widely held belief that the majority of people living with HIV are gay.

A new report published by Public Health England, entitled West Midlands HIV Spotlight, also reveals that the largest proportion of new HIV diagnoses among the region’s residents continues to be through heterosexual contact.

Although the proportion has fallen from 74 per cent in 2002, heterosexual contact remains the largest exposure group, accounting for 48 per cent in 2013.

Consultant Physician Kaveh Manavi, the Lead of HIV Services at UHB, said: “This report, as well as our own experiences, clearly demonstrates that heterosexual individuals are just as likely to become infected with HIV, if not more so.”

Dr Manavi appealed for more people to obtain HIV testing. In particular, he advised older adults to get tested for the virus after also revealing that 120 of UHB cases, around nine per cent, were above the age of 50.

The West Midlands HIV Spotlight report summarises trends in HIV infection in the region’s residents up to 31 December 2013.

The overall finding of the report is that the number of West Midlands residents newly diagnosed with HIV fell by three per cent, from 390 to 379, in 2013. This brings the cumulative total to 7,376 cases, with almost two thirds (4,796) diagnosed in the last ten years.

During the same period, a total of 5,510 West Midlands residents accessed HIV-related care in the UK in 2013, with almost a quarter aged 50 or over.

Overall, the HIV Spotlight report reveals that there has been a 159 per cent increase in the number of individuals accessing care since 2004, and a 420 per cent increase in those aged 50 or over.

This reflects the dramatically improved life-expectancy for those who are diagnosed early and treated appropriately, the report concludes.

Free and confidential HIV testing is available seven days a week from UHB sexual health services. Individuals can book their appointments online via the Birmingham Sexual Health website.