Abstract
Objectives
To estimate trends in HIV testing, positivity and prevalence in UK Primary Care for 2000-2015 as part of a wider investigation into reasons for late diagnosis of HIV.
Design
Retrospective cohort study using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) which is derived from computerised clinical records produced during consultations in Primary Care.
Setting: 404 General Practices in England.
Participants
5,979,598 adults aged ≥ 16 years registered between 2000-2015 with 45,093,761 person years of observation.
Outcomes
Annual HIV testing rates, proportion of positive tests, and prevalence of HIV-infected people recorded in Primary Care 2000-2015.
Results
HIV testing in Primary Care increased from 2000 to 2010, but then declined. Testing was higher in females than males and in those aged 16-44 years compared with older adults. Rates per 100,000 in women aged 16-44 years were 177 (95% CI 167-188); 1309 (1282-1336); 1789 (1757-1821) and 839 (817-862) in 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015, respectively, and for non-pregnant women: 22.5 (19-26); 134 (125-143); 262 (250-275); 190 (179, 201). For men aged 16-44 years rates were: 26 (22-29); 107 (100-115); 196 (185-206); 137 (127-146). Over the study period, there were approximately 2 positive results per 1000 HIV tests. Men were eight-fold more likely to test positive than women. The percentage of HIV diagnoses among adults recorded in CPRD may be as low as 55% in London and 67% in the rest of the UK.
Conclusions
HIV testing rates in Primary Care peaked in 2010 and subsequently declined. Access to testing was higher for women despite the prevalence of HIV being higher in men.
Implications and further research needed
Opportunities remain in Primary Care for increasing HIV testing to prevent costly late diagnoses and decrease HIV transmission. Interventions to improve targeting of tests and increase adherence to HIV testing guidelines are needed in Primary Care.
To estimate trends in HIV testing, positivity and prevalence in UK Primary Care for 2000-2015 as part of a wider investigation into reasons for late diagnosis of HIV.
Design
Retrospective cohort study using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) which is derived from computerised clinical records produced during consultations in Primary Care.
Setting: 404 General Practices in England.
Participants
5,979,598 adults aged ≥ 16 years registered between 2000-2015 with 45,093,761 person years of observation.
Outcomes
Annual HIV testing rates, proportion of positive tests, and prevalence of HIV-infected people recorded in Primary Care 2000-2015.
Results
HIV testing in Primary Care increased from 2000 to 2010, but then declined. Testing was higher in females than males and in those aged 16-44 years compared with older adults. Rates per 100,000 in women aged 16-44 years were 177 (95% CI 167-188); 1309 (1282-1336); 1789 (1757-1821) and 839 (817-862) in 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015, respectively, and for non-pregnant women: 22.5 (19-26); 134 (125-143); 262 (250-275); 190 (179, 201). For men aged 16-44 years rates were: 26 (22-29); 107 (100-115); 196 (185-206); 137 (127-146). Over the study period, there were approximately 2 positive results per 1000 HIV tests. Men were eight-fold more likely to test positive than women. The percentage of HIV diagnoses among adults recorded in CPRD may be as low as 55% in London and 67% in the rest of the UK.
Conclusions
HIV testing rates in Primary Care peaked in 2010 and subsequently declined. Access to testing was higher for women despite the prevalence of HIV being higher in men.
Implications and further research needed
Opportunities remain in Primary Care for increasing HIV testing to prevent costly late diagnoses and decrease HIV transmission. Interventions to improve targeting of tests and increase adherence to HIV testing guidelines are needed in Primary Care.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e027744 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | BMJ Open |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | 11 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 24 Nov 2019 |
Keywords
- CPRD
- HIV & AIDS
- HIV testing
- primary care
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