T R Chadborn1, C A McGarrigle, P A Waight, K A Fenton. 1. HIV/STI Division, Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, Health Protection Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK. tim.chadborn@hpa.org.uk
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe the trends in and determinants of HIV testing and positivity at genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics and in general practice (GP) in England between 1990 and 2000. METHODS: Data on all first HIV specimens from GUM and GP clinics and tested at seven sentinel laboratories were related to key demographic, clinical, and behavioural variables. RESULTS: During the observation period, 202 892 eligible first HIV tests were reported. 90% (182 746) of specimens were from GUM clinics, of which 55% were from heterosexuals, 12% from men who have sex with men (MSM), and 3% from injecting drug users (IDU). In contrast, only 3% of GP specimens were from MSM and 13% from IDUs. The total number of first HIV tests increased threefold between 1990 and 2000. Overall, 1.6% of GUM and 0.9% of GP first testers were diagnosed HIV positive. In GUM clinics, HIV positivity was highest among heterosexuals who have lived in Africa (11.7%), MSM (6.9%), and IDUs (2.8%) and lowest among heterosexuals with no other specified risk (0.3%). Consistently lower prevalences were observed in GP settings. HIV positivity among GUM first testers declined in MSM, from 13.6% in 1990 to 5.2% in 2000 (p<0.01), and in IDUs, from 7.5% in 1990 to 2.0% in 2000 (p = 0.03). Prevalence remained constant in the groups heterosexually exposed to HIV infection. CONCLUSIONS: HIV testing in GUM settings increased over the decade, with a concomitant reduction in HIV positivity among MSM and IDUs. Increased testing among heterosexual first testers overall was not associated with declining positivity.
OBJECTIVES: To describe the trends in and determinants of HIV testing and positivity at genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics and in general practice (GP) in England between 1990 and 2000. METHODS: Data on all first HIV specimens from GUM and GP clinics and tested at seven sentinel laboratories were related to key demographic, clinical, and behavioural variables. RESULTS: During the observation period, 202 892 eligible first HIV tests were reported. 90% (182 746) of specimens were from GUM clinics, of which 55% were from heterosexuals, 12% from men who have sex with men (MSM), and 3% from injecting drug users (IDU). In contrast, only 3% of GP specimens were from MSM and 13% from IDUs. The total number of first HIV tests increased threefold between 1990 and 2000. Overall, 1.6% of GUM and 0.9% of GP first testers were diagnosed HIV positive. In GUM clinics, HIV positivity was highest among heterosexuals who have lived in Africa (11.7%), MSM (6.9%), and IDUs (2.8%) and lowest among heterosexuals with no other specified risk (0.3%). Consistently lower prevalences were observed in GP settings. HIV positivity among GUM first testers declined in MSM, from 13.6% in 1990 to 5.2% in 2000 (p<0.01), and in IDUs, from 7.5% in 1990 to 2.0% in 2000 (p = 0.03). Prevalence remained constant in the groups heterosexually exposed to HIV infection. CONCLUSIONS: HIV testing in GUM settings increased over the decade, with a concomitant reduction in HIV positivity among MSM and IDUs. Increased testing among heterosexual first testers overall was not associated with declining positivity.
Authors: S Schwarcz; T Kellogg; W McFarland; B Louie; R Kohn; M Busch; M Katz; G Bolan; J Klausner; H Weinstock Journal: Am J Epidemiol Date: 2001-05-15 Impact factor: 4.897
Authors: Nicole H T M Dukers; Joke Spaargaren; Ronald B Geskus; Jos Beijnen; Roel A Coutinho; Han S A Fennema Journal: AIDS Date: 2002-07-05 Impact factor: 4.177