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Many people who learn they are
HIV-positive are testing for the first time, according to a new study.
Researchers from CDC analyzed data
on persons age 13 and older newly diagnosed with HIV from 2006 to 2009 in 18
jurisdictions taking part in an HIV incidence surveillance system. Among
participants for whom previous testing history was available, 41 percent were
diagnosed with the virus at their first HIV test.
Fifty-nine percent of those found to
be infected had previously tested HIV-negative at some time. The groups with
the greatest proportions of persons testing HIV-negative less than 12 months
before learning they were HIV-positive included those ages 13-29 (33 percent),
males whose infection was attributed to sex with males (29 percent), and whites
(28 percent).
“Enhanced efforts are needed to
increase annual HIV testing for populations at high risk for HIV infection to
increase early detection,” CDC said.
[PNU editor’s note: The study,
“Previous HIV Testing Among Adults and Adolescents Newly Diagnosed with HIV
Infection - National HIV Surveillance System, 18 Jurisdictions, United States,
2006-2009,” was published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
(2012;61(24):441-445.]
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
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