Scaling Up Testing for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Among Contacts of Index Patients - 20 Countries, 2016-2018.

This report summarizes data from HIV tests using index testing in 20 countries supported by CDC through the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) during October 1, 2016-March 31, 2018. During this 18-month period, 1,700,998 HIV tests with 99,201 (5.8%) positive results were reported using index testing. The positivity rate for index testing was 9.8% among persons aged ≥15 years and 1.5% among persons aged <15 years. During the reporting period, HIV positivity increased 64% among persons aged ≥15 years (from 7.6% to 12.5%) and 67% among persons aged <15 years (from 1.2% to 2.0%). Expanding index testing services could help increase the number of persons with HIV infection who know their status, are initiated onto antiretroviral treatment, and consequently reduce the number of persons who can transmit the virus.
PMID: 31145718 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Source: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkl... - May 30, 2019 Category: Epidemiology Authors: Lasry A, Medley A, Behel S, Mujawar MI, Cain M, Diekman ST, Rurangirwa J, Valverde E, Nelson R, Agolory S, Alebachew A, Auld AF, Balachandra S, Bunga S, Chidarikire T, Dao VQ, Dee J, Doumatey LEN, Dzinotyiweyi E, Dziuban EJ, Ekra KA, Fuller WB, Herman-Rol Tags: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep Source Type: research