Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026
Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model
Published on: October 31, 2010
Baseline CD4 cell counts of newly diagnosed HIV cases in China: 2006-2012
Houlin Tang1, Yurong Mao1, Cynthia X Shi2
1Division of Integration and Evaluation, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.
Insights
Timely baseline CD4 testing for newly diagnosed HIV patients in China increased significantly from 2006-2012. Further efforts are crucial to promote early HIV diagnosis and CD4 testing.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- HIV/AIDS Research
Background:
- Late diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection remains a significant public health challenge.
- This study assessed the proportion of newly diagnosed HIV cases receiving timely baseline CD4 count testing in China and identified associated factors.
Observation:
- The study analyzed data from 388,496 newly diagnosed HIV cases in China between 2006 and 2012.
- Over half of the cases (58.8%) had a baseline CD4 count below 350 cells/µl, indicating advanced infection at diagnosis.
- A majority of patients (57.1%) received baseline CD4 count testing within six months of diagnosis.
Findings:
- The proportion of individuals receiving timely baseline CD4 count testing significantly increased from 20.0% in 2006 to 76.9% in 2012.
- Factors associated with delayed testing included being male, older age, lower educational attainment, specific transmission routes (injection drug use), and diagnosis in hospitals or detention centers.
Implications:
- The observed increase in timely CD4 testing suggests progress in HIV management strategies in China.
- Continued promotion of early HIV diagnosis and prompt baseline CD4 cell count testing is essential for improving patient outcomes and public health.
- Addressing disparities in testing access for vulnerable populations is critical for comprehensive HIV care.
Background:
Late diagnosis of HIV infection is common. We aim to assess the proportion of newly diagnosed HIV cases receiving timely baseline CD4 count testing and the associated factors in China.
Methods:
Data were extracted from the Chinese HIV/AIDS Comprehensive Response Information Management System. Adult patients over 15 years old who had been newly diagnosed with HIV infection in China between 2006 and 2012 were identified. The study cohort comprised individuals who had a measured baseline CD4 count.
Results:
Among 388,496 newly identified HIV cases, the median baseline CD4 count was 294 cells/µl (IQR: 130-454), and over half (N = 130,442, 58.8%) were less than 350 cells/µl. The median baseline CD4 count increased from 221 (IQR: 63-410) in 2006 to 314 (IQR: 159-460) in 2012. A slight majority of patients (N = 221,980, 57.1%) received baseline CD4 count testing within 6 months of diagnosis. The proportion of individuals who received timely baseline CD4 count testing increased significantly from 20.0% in 2006 to 76.9% in 2012. Factors associated with failing to receiving timely CD4 count testing were: being male (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.15-1.19), age 55 years or older (OR:1.03, 95% CI: 1.00-1.06), educational attainment of primary school education or below (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.28-1.32), infection with HIV through injection drug use (OR: 2.07, 95% CI: 2.02-2.12) or sexual contact and injection drug use (OR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.76-1.99), diagnosis in a hospital (OR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.88-1.95) or in a detention center (OR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.70-1.80), and employment as a migrant worker (OR:1.55, 95% CI:1.53-1.58).
Conclusion:
The proportion of newly identified HIV patients receiving timely baseline CD4 testing has increased significantly in China from 2006-2012. Continued effort is needed for further promotion of early HIV diagnosis and timely baseline CD4 cell count testing.
