New Zealand's HIV infected population under active follow-up during 2000.
OBJECTIVE
To audit New Zealand's HIV infected population currently under active follow-up.


METHODS
Multiple sources were used to determine anonymously the demographic and management characteristics of HIV infected individuals being monitored with HIV viral load measurements and/or receiving antiretroviral therapy during 2000.


RESULTS
593 people (480 males and 113 females) were under active follow-up. The most common transmission risk was male homosexual contact (56%) followed by heterosexual contact (28%), injecting drug use (3%) and mother to infant transmission (1%). Ethnicity data showed a disproportionate number of Africans (13%) compared to recent census figures. Anti-retroviral therapy was used in 71% of the cohort of whom 62% had HIV viral load measurements below 400 copies/mL. An upper estimate of diagnosed HIV individuals living in New Zealand at 30/9/2000 was 801.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first time that the demographic and clinical state of HIV infected individuals has been assessed throughout New Zealand. The results suggest a slightly lower number of HIV infected individuals currently living in New Zealand than previously estimated. Anti-retroviral therapy is being used effectively within the HIV infected population. The changing demographics, with a higher proportion of people under care from Africa, increasing numbers of females, and an increase in the proportion with heterosexual risk factors are particular challenges.
Mills
Graham
G
Waikato Hospital, Hamilton. millsg@hwl.co.nz
Yardley
Anne-Marie
AM
Thomas
Mark
M
Blackmore
Tim
T
Pithie
Alan
A
Schroeder
Bryan
B
Dickson
Nigel
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D019562:Viral Load / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents