|
10th Anniversary Conference Of The British HIV Association [BHIVA]15 – 17 April 2004, City Hall, Cardiff, UK |
[AUTHOR(S):] VL Gilbart, S Dougan, K Sinka, BG Evans
The Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, Health Protection Agency, London, UK
BHIVA Conf 2004 Apr 15-17;10:O15
BACKGROUND: A small number of UK nationals who have a low or unacknowledged risk of HIV present late in the course of HIV infection, often after frequent attendances to general practitioners (GPs). Late diagnosis may result in avoidable morbidity and premature mortality.
METHODS: Information from in-depth interviews with individuals diagnosed with HIV in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who reported low or unacknowledged risks was analysed. Those diagnosed because of HIV-related symptoms (late diagnoses) were compared with those diagnosed for other reasons.
RESULTS: Of the 286 individuals interviewed, 157 (55%) had HIV-related symptoms at the time of diagnosis. A greater proportion of those diagnosed late were male and older, or in a long-standing relationship. Of the 157 late diagnoses, 95 were considered to have acquired HIV heterosexually, 74 in the UK and 21 abroad, 16 through 'high-risk' behaviours, 16 heterosexually by a 'high-risk' partner and the remainder through an unusual, other or unknown route. No partners had informed them of their HIV status.
CONCLUSION: GPs should consider HIV as a possibility when patients without an apparent risk of HIV infection present with symptoms indicative of immune suppression. Sensitive partner-notification practices that enable a greater number of individuals to inform their partners should be explored.
PRESENTING AUTHOR: VL Gilbart
040415
O15
Copyright © 2004 - 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