HIV/AIDS epidemic among older adults in China during 2005-2012: results from trend and spatial analysis

Background: Recent studies have indicated an increasing burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS among older adults.

Methods: All identified people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) recorded through the Chinese HIV/AIDS CRS during 2005-2012 were included in the study, except for the cases that lacked specific spatial information. Trend tests and spatial analyses were conducted.

Results: Information about 73,521 PLWHA (aged ≥50 years) was collected during 2005-2012. Three provinces-Guangxi, Henan, and Yunnan-accounted for 54.4% of the identified cases during the study period. Compared with 2005, the ratio between residents and migrants among the study population decreased to 40.1% in 2012. The ratio of HIV-infected patients to AIDS patients and the ratio of males to females increased gradually among older infected adults. Results of spatial analysis indicate a clustered distribution of HIV/AIDS among older adults throughout the country. Hot spots were observed in 4 provinces (Guangxi, Henan, Yunnan, and Sichuan) and 1 municipality (Chongqing). A trend from central provinces toward southern provinces was also identified.

Conclusions: The number and proportion of HIV/AIDS among older adults have increased in recent years. The hot spots showed movement from central to southern China. A focused intervention strategy targeting the older PLWHA is urgently required in China.