HIV Incidence, Prevalence Remains High in Select Populations

Although incidence of HIV has fallen among many groups, it remains high in men who have sex with men (MSM), according to a recent study.

In order to estimate HIV incidence and prevalence, as well as the percentage of undiagnosed infections among MSM, researchers conducted a cross-sectional analysis involving data from the National HIV Surveillance System.
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HIV diagnoses data and first CD4 test results were used to model HIV incidence and prevalence from 2008 to 2014.

Overall, modeled HIV incidence decreased by 14.8% overall, from 45,200 infections in 2008 to 38,500 infections in 2015. The incidence declined in all groups except for MSM. Incidence of HIV increased by 3.1% per year among Hispanic/Latino MSM, decreased 2.7% among white SMS, and remained the same for black MSM.

Incidence decreased by 3.0% per year among MSM aged 13 to 24 years and by 4.7% per year among those aged 35 to 44 years. Incidence increased 5.7% per year among MSM aged 25 to 34. The percentage of undiagnosed HIV infections was higher among black, Hispanic/Latino, and younger MSM.

“Expansion of HIV screening to reduce undiagnosed infections and increased access to care and treatment to achieve viral suppression are critical to reduce HIV transmission. Access to prevention methods, such as condoms and preexposure prophylaxis, also is needed, particularly among MSM of color and young MSM,” the researchers concluded.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Singh S, Song R, Johnson AS, et al. HIV Incidence, HIV prevalence, and undiagnosed HIV infections in men who have sex with men, United States [published online March 20, 2018]. Ann Intern Med. doi:10.7326/M17-2082.