Newly diagnosed cases of HIV in those aged 50 years and older and those less than 50: 2008–2017

Abstract

Background: Canada's population is aging, with nearly forty percent of Canadians aged 50 years or more. As the population ages, unique challenges related to health are becoming evident, including increasing rates of sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections. Understanding the epidemiology of HIV in older adults is important to guide prevention and control programs. Objective: To assess trends in newly diagnosed cases of HIV in Canada among those aged 50 years and older (≥50 years) and those aged less than 50 (<50 years), and to compare their basic demographic characteristics and exposure categories for the period of 2008 to 2017. Methods: National surveillance of HIV is conducted by the Public Health Agency of Canada through voluntary submission of data by provincial/territorial public health authorities. Descriptive analyses were conducted on reported cases of HIV between January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2017 to compare the demographic profiles and exposure category for the two age groups. Results: Between 2008 and 2017, the proportion of newly diagnosed HIV cases among those ≥50 years increased from 15.1% to 22.8%. The HIV diagnosis rates for both older males and older females increased over time, with a relatively higher increase for females. A higher proportion of newly diagnosed HIV cases were male in the older group (81.2%) compared to the younger group (74.6%). Among both older and younger males, the most common exposure category for HIV was being gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM), followed by heterosexual contact and injection drug use; however, the relative proportions varied by age with the gbMSM category being higher in the <50 group. Conclusion: In Canada, over 20% of all newly diagnosed cases of HIV are now in people 50 years of age and older. HIV testing and prevention initiatives, historically aimed at younger populations, may not have the same impact for older populations. These data can be used to inform future public health actions designed to address HIV in older populations.

Poor HIV-Related Outcomes in Older Adults Newly Diagnosed With HIV: A 4-Year Retrospective Analysis From a Single Site in Asia

“…5 An increase in new diagnoses among older adults also contributes to this population of older adults with HIV. 6 This trend has been reported in Europe, 7 Canada, 8 United Kingdom, 9 and the United States, 4 where HIV infection in older adults account for 15%-20% of all new infections reported. [7][8][9] Data from low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) have so far been limited.…”

“…30,31 We found older adults newly diagnosed with HIV to have different socioeconomic and demographic characteristics compared with younger individuals, consistent with prior studies. 6,7 In a recent study exploring HIV knowledge, attitudes, and perceived HIV risks among urban dwelling older adults in Malaysia, older age, ethnicity, lower education levels, and marital status were all independently associated with HIV knowledge scores, 28 highlighting select groups within the older population where HIV awareness and education programs need to be optimized. The main mode of HIV transmission in the older age group was heterosexual contact as opposed to MSM in younger individuals, consistent with reports in other settings.…”

Characteristics of low-tier female sex workers who engage in commercial sex with old male clients in Zhejiang province, China: a cross-sectional study

“…17 In Canada, the proportion of newly diagnosed HIV cases among those ≥50 years of age increased from 15.1% to 22.8% between 2008 and 2017. 18 In China, the number of older people diagnosed with HIV cases has also increased, and the number of newly diagnosed patients aged ≥65 years in 2016 accounted for 10.4% of the newly diagnosed cases in that year. 19 Most newly diagnosed persons aged ≥65 years are male; the male-to-female ratio in that group is 5-1.…”

“… 17 In Canada, the proportion of newly diagnosed HIV cases among those ≥50 years of age increased from 15.1% to 22.8% between 2008 and 2017. 18 …”

Análise espaço-temporal da epidemia do HIV em idosos num estado amazônico brasileiro

“…Porém, tal fenômeno também ainda ocorre em países desenvolvidos. No Canadá, entre 2008 e 2017, a proporção de novos diagnósticos de HIV em pessoas a partir de 50 anos de idade saltou de 15,1% para 22,8% de todos os casos notificados 3 . O mesmo aconteceu na União Europeia com a taxa de notificação de HIV (x100 mil habitantes), entre 2004 e 2015, aumentando na mesma faixa etária de 3,5 para 4,8 nos homens e de 1 para 1,2 nas mulheres 4 .…”