HIV testing among Deep South residents 50-64 years old with cardiovascular disease and/or diabetes

Background: In the United States in 2007, the proportion of adults aged 50 years and older whose time to an AIDS diagnosis after a diagnosis of HIV infection was less than a year ranged from 39-48% and increased with age. The proposed research study describes the uptake of HIV testing among Deep South residents 50-64 years old with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and/or diabetes. Methods: Deep South residents from Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina who completed the 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey were sampled. Associations between chronic health conditions (CVD, diabetes) and HIV testing were examined. Results: About 30% of the sample (n=1,017) reported that they had been tested for HIV. The mean age of persons tested for HIV (56.63±0.20SE) was significantly lower than that of those who had never been tested for HIV (57.60±0.12SE) (p <.0001). Persons with CVD or diabetes were 22% less likely to report that they had been tested for HIV, compared to those with both CVD and diabetes (OR= 0.776, 95% CI, 0.611-0.985). Conclusions: The HIV serostatus of persons 50- 64 years old should be ascertained if it is unknown, regardless of perceived risk for HIV/AIDS. Linking HIV testing with routine health visits may present an opportunity for earlier diagnosis of HIV infection among older adults with CVD and/or diabetes. Making the most of these opportunities becomes increasingly important among older adults who are at a greater risk of being diagnosed with HIV infection late in the disease process.