Trends in HIV infection among persons who inject drugs: United States and Puerto Rico, 2008-2013

A.J. Mitsch, H. Irene Hall and A.S. Babu

American Journal of Public Health, 2016, vol. 106, issue 12, 2194-2201

Abstract: Objectives. To describe trends in HIV diagnoses and prevalence among persons who inject drugs (PWID), and trend variations by jurisdiction. Methods. We used National HIV Surveillance System data to estimate the number of HIV diagnoses made during 2008 through 2013, and measured trends by estimated annual percent change; and persons living with diagnosed HIV infection at year-end 2008 to 2012, and measured trends in prevalence by the 2012-2008 arithmetic difference. Results. During 2008 through 2013, the number of HIV diagnoses was stable among all persons ( 10% per year) overall and in 10 jurisdictions. The Black-to-White PWID diagnosis ratio was 2 to 1. During 2008 through 2012, the number of persons living with diagnosed HIV infection increased overall, was stable among PWID, and decreased in 14 jurisdictions. Conclusions. Had the rate of decrease in diagnoses of HIV infection among PWID equaled that of all persons, an additional 1500 diagnoses would have occurred between 2008 and 2013. Prevalence was stable among PWID, and increased overall among all persons living with HIV infection. Pronounced racial inequities persist, particularly for Blacks, and appear to be diminishing.

Keywords: drug dependence; high risk behavior; HIV Infections; human; Puerto Rico; United States, HIV Infections; Humans; Puerto Rico; Risk-Taking; Substance-Related Disorders; United States (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2016.303380_5

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2016.303380

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