Development of an HIV Testing Dashboard to Complement the HIV Care Continuum Among MSM, PWID, and Heterosexuals in Washington, DC, 2007–2015

Abstract

Background We developed an HIV testing dashboard to complement the HIV care continuum in selected high-risk populations. Using NHBS data, we examined trends in HIV testing and care for men who have sex with men (MSM), persons who inject drugs (PWID) and heterosexuals at elevated risk (HET). Methods Between 2007–2015, 4,792 participants ≥18 years old completed a behavioral survey and were offered HIV testing. For the testing dashboard, proportions ever tested, tested in the past year, testing HIV-positive, and newly testing positive were calculated. An abbreviated care continuum for self-reported positives (SRP) included ever engagement in care, past year care, and current ARV use. The testing dashboard and care continuum were calculated separately for each population. Chi-square test for trend was used to assess significant trends over time. Results Among MSM, lifetime HIV testing and prevalence significantly increased from 96% to 98% (p=0.01) and 14% to 20% (p=0.02) over time; prevalence was highest among Black MSM at all time points. HIV prevalence among female PWID was significantly higher in 2015 vs. 2009 (27% and 13%; p<0.01). Among HET from 2010 to 2013, annual testing increased significantly (45% to 73%; p<0.001) and the proportion newly diagnosed decreased significantly (p<0.01). SRP MSM had high levels of care engagement and ARV use; among SRP PWID and HET, past year care engagement and ARV use increased over time. Conclusions The HIV testing dashboard can be used to complement the HIV care continuum to display improvements and disparities in HIV testing and care over time.

Proportion and factors associated with recent HIV infection in a cohort of patients seen for care in Italy over 1996-2014: Data from the ICONA Foundation Study cohort

“…The knowledge of proportion and epidemiological features of new HIV infections is in fact essential in order to address screening services and try to control HIV epidemics. HIV test is the first step of the prevention interventions; in spite of the increased numbers of persons at risk of having HIV infection that are tested, still an unacceptable high proportion is not screened annually [ 16 ]. Since the awareness of HIV infection allows linkage to care, access to cART and virological suppression, with a reduced probability of HIV transmission, prevention measures are crucial to the reduction of HIV-related morbidity and mortality [ 17 – 19 ].…”