Victorian authorities concerned about HIV rise

A rise in the number of men testing HIV positive in Victoria has led to an advertising blitz, SBS' Greg Dyett reports.

Rates of HIV infection are predicted to rise significantly in Australia if current trends continue, a study says. (AAP)

A recent rise in the number of younger men testing HIV positive in Victoria has led to an advertising blitz.

Health authorities are grappling with how best to promote safe sex to young gay people, SBS' Greg Dyett reports.

Some gay activists have applauded its message, while others have said studies prove scare tactics are not effective.

In Australia, a recent Victorian study published in the Medical Journal of Australia suggests younger gay men are more willing to engage in risky sexual behaviour.

Epidemiologist Carol El-Hayek, from the Centre for Population Health at the Burnet Institute in Melbourne, compared the behaviours of men aged below 35 with those over 35.

"We found that the ones that were younger were slightly more likely to have never been tested for HIV and they were slightly more likely not to know the HIV status of their regular partner and, with both age groups, there was reported inconsistent condom use with both casual and regular partners," Ms El-Hayek told SBS.

The rise in the number of younger men testing H-I-V positive in Victoria has prompted an advertising blitz, as health authorities' grapple with how best to promote safe sex to young people.