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9th Annual Conference Of The British HIV Association [BHIVA]24 – 26 April 2003, University of Manchester
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[AUTHOR(S):] Dougan S, Payne L, Fenton K, Evans B
Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC), London
BHIVA Conf 2003 Apr 24-26;9:O30
BACKGROUND: The impact of HIV in the Caribbean has been marked, with prevalence rates in several countries surpassed only by those of sub-Saharan Africa. With an estimated black Caribbean population of 612,000, frequent travel to the Caribbean and continuing immigration, it is no surprise that the numbers of black Caribbeans with HIV in the UK are increasing.
METHODS: Data on new diagnoses were obtained from reports received at CDSC by 30 September 2002, and on diagnosed prevalent infections from the Survey Of Prevalent Diagnosed HIV Infections (SOPHID).
RESULTS: In the UK, 759 black Caribbeans have been diagnosed with HIV since the beginning of the epidemic, the majority since 1998. In 1991 there were 14 new HIV diagnoses, by 2001, 165, and this figure will increase as further reports are received. Of the black Caribbeans newly diagnosed with HIV, 531 (70%) were male and 228 female. Median ages at diagnosis were 33.7 and 32.9 years, respectively. 297 (39%) were probably infected through sex between men and 407 (53%) through heterosexual sex, of whom 195 (48%) were male. Region of infection was recorded for 530 individuals: 270 (51%) were probably infected in Latin America/the Caribbean (including 142 in Jamaica); and 194 (37%) were probably infected in the UK. SOPHID 2001 recorded 705 black Caribbeans seen for HIV-related treatment and care in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, a 57% increase since 1999. In 2001, 538 (76%) of the black Caribbeans resided in London.
CONCLUSIONS: New HIV diagnoses among black Caribbeans in the UK are increasing, against a background of a high incidence of bacterial sexually transmitted infections in this community. Targeted and culturally sensitive prevention methods are required to address this issue.
PRESENTING AUTHOR: Dougan S
030424
O30
Copyright © 2003 - British HIV Association (BHIVA) Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the BHIVA Organising Secretariat 1 Mountview Court, 310 Friern Barnet Lane, London N20 0LD