Open AccessLate Diagnosis of HIV Infection in Metropolitan Areas of the United States and Puerto Rico
Author(s) -
H. Irene Hall,
Tian Tang,
Lorena Espinoza
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
aids and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.994
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1573-3254
pISSN - 1090-7165
DOI - 10.1007/s10461-015-1241-5
Subject(s) - metropolitan area , medicine , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , public health , hiv diagnosis , health psychology , demography , transmission (telecommunications) , environmental health , family medicine , antiretroviral therapy , viral load , pathology , sociology , electrical engineering , engineering
The majority of persons infected with HIV live in large metropolitan areas and many such areas have implemented intensified HIV testing programs. A national indicator of HIV testing outcomes is late diagnosis of HIV infection (stage 3, AIDS). Based on National HIV Surveillance System data, 23.3 % of persons with HIV diagnosed in 2012 had a late diagnosis in large MSAs, 26.3 % in smaller MSAs, and 29.6 % in non-metropolitan areas. In the 105 large MSAs, the percentage diagnosed late ranged from 13.2 to 47.4 %. During 2003-2012, the percentage diagnosed late decreased in large MSAs (32.2-23.3 %), with significant decreases in 41 of 105 MSAs overall and among men who have sex with men. Sustained testing efforts may help to continue the decreasing trend in late-stage HIV diagnosis and provide opportunities for early care and treatment and potential reduction in HIV transmission.