National HIV Prevention Conference Atlanta, Georgia, USA — July 27 - 30, 2003

Natl HIV Prev Conf 2003 July 27-30:abstract no. M1-B1001
Glynn M, Gerstle JE, Lee LM
CDC, Atlanta, GA

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES:: Transmission of HIV through injection drug use (IDU) has been a leading cause of new infections throughout the epidemic, particularly among adolescents and younger adults. As prevention programs have targeted reducing transmission through this route, we examined national surveillance data to describe the demographic trends in new HIV diagnoses attributable to IDU.

METHODS: We examined new HIV diagnoses in persons 13-29 years of age, diagnosed 1994-2001 and reported to CDC from the 25 states with confidential name-based HIV reporting in place since 1994. Cases with HIV transmission mode identified as IDU, including men who have sex with men and inject drugs, were classified as IDU-associated cases. Cases were adjusted for reporting delay and for unreported transmission risk.

RESULTS: From 1994 through 2001, there were 38,156 newly diagnosed HIV infections among persons aged 13-29 years reported to CDC. Of these, 7,051 (18%) were categorized as having an IDU mode of transmission. The number of new IDU-associated HIV infections diagnosed among this age group decreased from 1,394 (23%) cases in 1994 to 586 (15%) cases in 2000, representing an overall decrease of 58% in the number and a 35% decrease in the proportion of HIV cases attributable to IDU between 1994 and 2000. Between 2000 and 2001, however, the number of newly diagnosed IDU-associated HIV infections increased from 586 to 673 (15%) among 13-29 year olds. Trends varied by age group. Over the study period, the number of IDU-associated HIV diagnoses decreased by 63% among the 25-29 year age group and by 36% among the 20-24 year age group, while diagnoses increased by 7% among 13-19-year-olds.

CONCLUSIONS: The number of new IDU-associated HIV infections diagnosed among young adults decreased between 1994 and 2000. This decreasing trend changed in 2001, however, suggesting continued prevention efforts targeting adolescents and young adults are necessary.

030727
M1-B1001

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