Development of an HIV clinical cohort database for enhancing epidemiologic surveillance in Hong Kong

Asia Pac J Public Health. 2011 May;23(3):408-18. doi: 10.1177/1010539509346979. Epub 2009 Dec 1.

Abstract

The Hong Kong HIV Cohort Database is an observational cohort including all patients enrolled in 2 HIV specialist clinical services in Hong Kong. Basic demographics, HIV transmission category, and the diagnoses of AIDS were captured using a standardized template. As of December 2006, 2132 HIV cases had been registered in the database, representing two thirds of all reports submitted to the government's surveillance system. Non-Chinese and young females≤24 years were less represented in the cohort. Description of cohort cases was, however, more complete in terms of transmission category and presentation with AIDS-defining illnesses. Overall, Pneumocystis jirovecci, tuberculosis, and systemic mycosis accounted for a majority of AIDS cases within 3 months of HIV diagnosis. There was a gradual rise of HIV positive men having sex with men in the cohort, notably after 2002, an observation also made in other Asian countries.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cohort Studies
  • Databases, Factual*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • Homosexuality, Male / statistics & numerical data
  • Hong Kong / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pilot Projects
  • Population Surveillance / methods*
  • Young Adult