Increase in HIV diagnoses among men who have sex with men, 2005-2008--37 states

BACKGROUND: Men who have sex with men (MSM) make up the greatest number of HIV diagnoses in the United States. We analyzed HIV surveillance data for trends among MSM.

METHODS: Analysis of new HIV diagnoses from 2005-2008 among adults/adolescents from 37 states with mature name-based HIV reporting. Data on MSM were analyzed by race/ethnicity and age. Data were adjusted for reporting delay and missing HIV risk factor information. Chi-square tests for trends were conducted and 95% confidence intervals [CI] for estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) in the number of HIV diagnoses were calculated.

RESULTS: Overall estimated number of HIV diagnoses increased 7.9% from 2005-2008, with increase for MSM of 17.2% (P<0.001); MSM comprised 54.7% of diagnoses in 2008. For the period, 82,299 HIV diagnoses were among MSM; distribution by race/ethnicity was 38.5% black/African American, 37.9% white, 18.9% Hispanic/Latino. Black/African American MSM had a significantly greater EAPC in diagnoses (9.2; CI 6.9-11.4) compared to white MSM (3.0; CI 1.3-4.7); Hispanic/Latino MSM had an intermediate EAPC (5.6; CI 2.8-8.4). All age categories of MSM showed increasing EAPC, with age 13-24 having the greatest increase (EAPC 17.5; CI 14.6-20.5); blacks/African Americans made up 61.4% of HIV diagnoses in this age category and had the greatest EAPC (20.0; CI 16.2-23.9).

CONCLUSIONS: From 2005-2008 MSM had a significantly greater increase in HIV diagnoses. Among MSM, racial/ethnic minorities and younger ages were disproportionately impacted by HIV. These findings highlight the need for a spectrum of effective HIV prevention programs, particularly for minority MSM and young MSM.