HIV in women in Aotearoa New Zealand: 25 years of surveillance data

Ashleigh de Gouw; Susan McAllister; Jane Bruning; Judith Mukakayange; Jerram Bateman; Patricia Priest

doi:10.26635/6965.6000

HIV in women in Aotearoa New Zealand: 25 years of surveillance data

Ashleigh de Gouw, Susan McAllister, Jane Bruning, Judith Mukakayange, Jerram Bateman Patricia Priest

New Zealand medical journal, Vol.136(1568), pp.72-83

20/01/2023

: https://doi.org/10.26635/6965.6000

https://hdl.handle.net/10523/50231

Aim: We describe the characteristics of women diagnosed with HIV and AIDS in Aotearoa New Zealand over the last 25 years, and of women living with HIV in New Zealand in order to guide the response for HIV prevention and care. Methods: Data on women diagnosed with HIV and AIDS in New Zealand (1996-2020) were collected through routine surveillance case reports from healthcare providers. CD4 cell count <350 cells/mm³ was considered a late diagnosis. Women living with HIV by 31 December 2020 included those first diagnosed in New Zealand and those previously diagnosed overseas. Results: A total of 634 women have been diagnosed with HIV (18% of all diagnoses in this time): most cases were acquired through heterosexual contact (82%). Twenty-eight percent (n=180/634) acquired HIV in New Zealand, of whom 43% were diagnosed late. AIDS was diagnosed in 128 women (72% within three months of HIV diagnosis). An estimated 570 women (77% aged >40 years) were living with diagnosed HIV at the end of 2020. Conclusion: The number of women diagnosed with HIV each year in New Zealand has remained steady over recent years. More timely testing and diagnosis is essential to ensure women with HIV have access to appropriate treatment and support.

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: 9926853162301891
: HIV in women in Aotearoa New Zealand: 25 years of surveillance data
: Ashleigh de Gouw
Susan McAllister
Jane Bruning
Judith Mukakayange
Jerram Bateman
Patricia Priest
: New Zealand medical journal, Vol.136(1568), pp.72-83
: Public Health (DSM)
: Pasifika Medical Association
: Ministry of Health (New Zealand, Wellington)
: 20/01/2023
: The published version is not available in full-text in OUR Archive. Where available, a link to the published version is provided (check the DOI and/or the Files and links section). The full-text item may be open access on the publisher's website. An earlier version of the work (such as authors' accepted manuscript following peer-review or unreviewed preprint/author's original version) may be available in the Files and links section of this record. Alternatively, readers may have subscription access to the full-text from the publisher.
: English
: Journal article