Unlinked anonymous HIV prevalence among New Zealand sexual health clinic attenders: 2005–2006

Abstract

This unlinked anonymous study aimed at determining the prevalence of HIV among sexual health clinic attenders having blood samples taken for syphilis and/or hepatitis B serology in six major New Zealand cities over a 12-month period in 2005-2006. Overall, seroprevalence was five per 1000 (47/9439). Among men who have sex with men (MSM), the overall prevalence and that of previously undiagnosed HIV were 44.1 and 20.1 per 1000, respectively. In heterosexual men, the overall prevalence was 1.2 per 1000 and in women 1.4 per 1000. HIV remains to be concentrated among homosexual and bisexual men. Comparison with a previous survey in 1996-1997 suggests an increase in the prevalence of undiagnosed HIV among MSM and also an increase in the number of MSM attending sexual health clinics. The low prevalence of HIV among heterosexuals suggests no extensive spread into the groups identified at risk of other sexually transmitted infections.

The global epidemic of HIV infection among men who have sex with men

“…In a study [34] In cross-sectional studies from Southeast Asia, HIV prevalence in MSM ranged from 0.7 to 8.7% in Cambodia [40], from zero to 7.8% in Vietnam [41,42] and from 17.3 to 30.8% in Thailand [43,44] and was 5.6% in Lao PDR [45]. In Myanmar, 29.3% of MSM were found to be HIVinfected in two study sites in 2007 [46].…”

Increase in HIV diagnoses among men who have sex with men in New Zealand from a stable low period

“…21,22 Much will then depend on the relative contribution to annual HIV transmissions of individuals in different stages of HIV disease, and with diagnosed or undiagnosed infection. [23][24][25] To better elucidate which factors help explain the increase in HIV diagnoses among MSM in New Zealand, further consideration should be given to disaggregated behavioural surveillance data on trends in condom use and HIV testing, 3 repeat cross-sectional research on MSM living with diagnosed HIV, 26 anonymous HIV seroprevalence studies 1 and HIV prevention programs. 27 Current gaps in research and surveillance that could shed light on drivers of the increase also need to be identified and prioritised, particularly research on sexual networks, STI surveillance for MSM and community HIV prevalence studies.…”

“…1 Anonymous unlinked seroprevalence studies in 1991-92 and 2005-06 revealed that 4.4% of MSM attending sexual health clinics were HIVpositive, 1,2 a figure which is likely to overestimate HIV prevalence among all MSM, since this subgroup contains a high proportion of men presenting with a sexually transmissible infection (STI). Accordingly, fewer than 5% of MSM recruited at gay community venues and events in Auckland reported having received an HIV-positive diagnosis, 3 and an analysis of national routine surveillance data estimated that diagnosed HIV prevalence was between 1.5% and 5% of MSM in 2009.…”

Self-reported STIs and sexual health checks in a cross-sectional study of gay and bisexual men in New Zealand

“…In New Zealand, while gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) face an overwhelmingly higher burden of HIV than heterosexual men and women,1 less is known about how they are affected by other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Routine STI surveillance is based on conditions seen at sexual health clinics (SHCs) and laboratory diagnosed Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae ; however, neither of these sources report the numbers with same-sex behaviour.…”