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HIV/AIDS prevalence high in EDs; increased screening efforts urged
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The prevalence of HIV/AIDS was higher in ED settings than publicly funded HIV counseling and testing sites across New Jersey, according to data presented at the 6th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention in Rome.
Charlotte Sadashige, of the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, and colleagues pooled 2005 to 2008 case surveillance data from the New Jersey HIV/AIDS Registry to assess HIV/AIDS diagnoses in EDs and percentages of late diagnoses.
Of 6,430 patients with HIV/AIDS documented in New Jersey from 2005 to 2008, 6% were diagnosed in EDs. There were more positive tests from EDs (1.5%) vs. non-ED counseling and testing sites (1%). Of patients diagnosed in EDs, 36% had no health insurance and 20% were late diagnoses, according to the researchers.
Sixty percent of late ED diagnoses were transmitted via heterosexual contact among 92% of women and 47% of men. Black patients comprised most (77%) of the late diagnoses; 92% of patients were black women and 71% were black men.
“Expanded testing among ED patients is important to identify persons infected with HIV, particularly those with limited access to health care,” according to the researchers. “HIV screening in EDs integrates HIV services into medical care and may provide an efficient gateway to HIV prevention and care, particularly for persons with a lower perception of HIV risk, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons not seeking HIV-specific services.”
For more information:
- Sadashige C. # MOPDD0204. Presented at: The 6th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention; Rome; July 17-20, 2011.
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