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Amplifying and Quantifying HIV-1 RNA in HIV Infected Individuals with Viral Loads Below the Limit of Detection by Standard Clinical Assays
Published on: September 26, 2011
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HIV seroconversion among Baltimore City residents tested at a mobile van programme
Sarah Puryear1, Phyllis Burnett2, Kathleen R Page2,3
1Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
|September 14, 2017
Summary
Mobile van HIV testing identifies individuals unaware of their diagnosis, aiding early intervention. Key risk factors for HIV seroconversion include men who have sex with men, intravenous drug use, and sexual contact with HIV-positive partners.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Disease Research
Background:
- Many individuals in the USA remain unaware of their Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) diagnosis, leading to delayed treatment and increased transmission.
- Mobile van HIV testing services offer a potential strategy to improve testing uptake and diagnosis rates among underserved populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and characterize the risk factors associated with HIV seroconversion among individuals utilizing mobile van testing services.
- To identify specific demographic and behavioral factors that predict an increased risk of acquiring HIV infection within this population.
Main Methods:
- A case cohort study was conducted using an HIV surveillance dataset of mobile van testing users in Baltimore, Maryland (September 2004 - August 2009).
- The study analyzed a cohort of 8756 individuals, with a focus on 122 documented HIV seroconversions.
- Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were employed, incorporating Department of Corrections data to account for incarceration periods.
Main Results:
- An overall HIV seroconversion rate of 1.4% was observed, which was higher than that seen in traditional clinic settings.
- Significant risk factors for HIV seroconversion included being a man who has sex with men (MSM) (HR 32.76), having sex with an HIV-positive partner (HR 70.2), and engaging in intravenous drug use (IDU) (HR 5.65).
Conclusions:
- Mobile van HIV testing is an effective outreach strategy for identifying infections in high-risk populations.
- Targeted prevention services are crucial for high-risk individuals, including MSM, those with IDU, and individuals with multiple sexual partners, to prevent HIV acquisition.
- Early diagnosis through accessible testing is vital for the HIV care continuum and prevention efforts.
