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. 2018 Jun;45(6):377-381.
doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000766.

Previously Diagnosed HIV-Positive Persons: The Role of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Funded HIV Testing Programs in Addressing Their Needs

Puja Seth  1 , Guoshen Wang, Lisa Belcher
Affiliations

Previously Diagnosed HIV-Positive Persons: The Role of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-Funded HIV Testing Programs in Addressing Their Needs

Puja Seth et al. Sex Transm Dis. 2018 Jun.

Abstract

Background: Increased HIV testing efforts have resulted in retesting previously diagnosed persons. This study examined Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded HIV testing programs to evaluate how the needs of previously diagnosed persons are being addressed.

Methods: The following were examined by demographic and test setting among previously diagnosed HIV-positive persons in 2015: CDC-funded HIV testing, previously diagnosed HIV positivity, current care status, and linkage to care. In addition, trends of HIV positivity and previously diagnosed HIV-positivity were examined from 2011 to 2015.

Results: In 2015, CDC funded 3,026,074 HIV tests, and 27,729 were HIV-positive tests. Of those, 13,528 (48.8%) were previously diagnosed persons. Only 11.6% of previously diagnosed persons reported already being in HIV care; after excluding them, 62.1% of previously diagnosed persons were linked within 90 days. In addition, the percentage of previously diagnosed persons steadily increased from 2011 (25.9%) to 2015 (34.1%; P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Almost half of all HIV-positive tests were among previously diagnosed persons, but only 11.6% were already in HIV care. Linkage is necessary among persons who already know their HIV status because they either were never linked or need to be reengaged into care. Barriers in linkage and retention among this group also need to be addressed.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest and Sources of Funding: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Number of HIV-positive persons and percentage of previously diagnosed HIV-positive persons in the United States, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands, 2011 to 2015.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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