270598 HIV/AIDS and Women in the District of Columbia

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 : 9:15 AM - 9:30 AM

Jenevieve Opoku, MPH , Washington DC Department of Health, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STDs, and TB Administration, Washington DC
Background: The HIV/AIDS epidemic in the District of Columbia is taking an increasing toll on women.The District of Columbia has the highest HIV/AIDS case rate in the United States among women (1,695.6 per 100,000);nearly 10 times greater than the national rate (176.0 per 100,000).This analysis describes trends among women newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.

Methods: Surveillance data from the enhanced HIV/AIDS Reporting System (eHARS) were analyzed from 2005-2009.Race/ethnicity,mode of transmission,late testing,progression to AIDS,entry into care,and retention in care were evaluated. Late testing was defined as an AIDS diagnosis less than a year after initial HIV diagnosis. Retention in care was defined as having at least two laboratory tests within 12 months of the initial linkage laboratory test date.

Results: From 2005-2009,1,619 women were diagnosed with HIV disease.These women were mostly Black (92.3%),with leading modes of transmission attributed to heterosexual contact (62.4%) and IDU (16.4%).Among this population,28.8% were diagnosed as late testers.Nearly two-thirds (N= 958, 59.2%) were linked to care within 3 months of initial diagnosis,while among those linked to care,16.8% (N=161) remained in care within the first 12 months of linkage.

Discussion: Analysis revealed the greatest burden of disease among women newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS were Black and heterosexual.Though there have been great efforts in expanding HIV testing and linkages to care,there is a considerable proportion of late diagnoses and a very small proportion of women who remained in care.Continued research is needed to better understand the potential barriers of utilization of HIV testing and care services among newly diagnosed women.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology

Learning Objectives:
1. To describe the HIV/AIDS epidemic among women in the District of Columbia 2. To identify gaps in linkages and retention in care among newly diagnosed women

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I personally performed the SAS programming and wrote the abstract submitted.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4042.0: HIV Studies in Specific Groups/Regions