National HIV Prevention Conference Atlanta, Georgia, USA — August 29- September 1, 1999

Natl HIV Prev Conf 1999 Aug 29-Sep 1:(abstract no. 101)
McDonald, AM; and Kaldor JM for the National HIV Surveillance Committee.
National Centre in HIV Epideology and clinical Research, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

OBJECTIVE: To describe the current pattern of HIV transmission in Australia.

METHODS: Newly diagnosed HIV infection is a notifiable condition in Australia. Information sought at notification of cases of HIV infection includes sex, date of birth, date of first HIV diagnosis in Australia, HIV exposure category, and CD4+cell count. From 1991, evidence has been sought of newly acquired HIV infection, based on a report of a previous negative/ indeterminate HIV antibody test and/or the diagnosis of an HIV seroconversion illness within 12 months of HIV diagnosis.

RESULTS: By 30 June 1999, 8,119 cases of HIV infection (91.4% male), newly diagnosed in adults/adolescents in Australia in 1991-1998, were notified to the national surveillance centre; 16.9%were reported as cases of newly acquired infection (94.3% male). While the annual number of new HIV diagnoses declined from 1,409 in 1991 to 718 in 1998, the proportion of diagnoses with evidence of new infection increased from 6.7% in 1991 to 23.9% and then plateaued at 19.5% in 1996-1998. Median age at diagnosis of newly acquired HIV infection and other HIV diagnoses was 30 years and 32 years, respectively. Among cases of newly acquired HIV infection, 54.8% had a negative test only within 12 months of diagnosis, 19.9%were diagnosed with an HIV seroconversion illness only and 25.3% of cases had both a previous negative test and a diagnosis of an HIV seroconversion illness. Exposure to HIV was attributed to male homosexual contact, injecting drug use and heterosexual contact in 88.9%, 3.0% and 8.1%of cases of newly acquired HIV infection, respectively, whereas 78.6%, 4.2% and 17.2% of other HIV diagnoses were attributed to male homosexual contact, injection drug use and heterosexual contact, respectively.

CONCLUSION: While national surveillance provides a lower limit to the number of cases of HIV transmission occurring in Australia, it indicates continuing HIV infection, primarily among younger men who report a history of homosexual contact.

PRESENTER CONTACT INFORMATION:
Name: Ann McDonald
Address: National Centre in HIV Epidemiology
376 Victoria Street
Darlinghurst, NSW 2010 Australia
Telephone: (612) 9332-4648
Fax: (612) 9332-1837
Email: amcdonald@anchecr.unsw.edu.au

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National HIV Prevention Conference, 1999. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August 29- September 1, 1999.

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