Background and Methods: We analyzed HIV/AIDS surveillance data from 25 states with HIV reporting since before ’94 to identify current trends among Injection Drug Users (IDUs) initially diagnosed with HIV and reported through 9/99, adjusted for reporting delay and for persons reported without HIV risk information. We used race/ethnicity and sex specific census data to calculate rates.
Results: From ‘94 through ‘98, 22950 cases were diagnosed among IDUs. The proportion of HIV cases attributed to IDUs decreased from 27.2% in ‘94 to 20.9% in ‘98. From ’94 to ’98, IDUs exhibited the largest decrease in cases (37% vs. 11%). The rates among IDUs decreased each year: 6.7, 5.9, 5.3, 4.6, and 4.0. Rates were higher among men than women in all years. From ’94 to ’98, the number of cases among Whites, Blacks and Hispanics decreased by 32%, 38% and 46% respectively. Rates were higher among Blacks and Hispanics each year; in ‘98, rates among Blacks and Hispanics were 17.0 and 6.9 times higher than among whites. The yearly number of cases (0-2387) and changes in cases (-71% to 93%) varied by state. Most cases were reported from large metropolitan areas with population over 500,000. Cases declined over the years in urban and rural areas.
Conclusions: Decreases in HIV/AIDS diagnoses in IDUs reflect earlier declines in HIV incidence and decreases in the number of undiagnosed HIV-infected IDUs. Achievement of further declines requires intensified and culturally appropriate prevention efforts targeted at Blacks and Hispanics in large metropolitan areas of selected states.
Learning Objectives: Understand current status of and trend in the HIV epidemic among Injecting Drug Users in 25 HIV Reporting States, United States, 1994-98
Keywords: Injection Drug Users, HIV/AIDS
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.