Simmons, RD; (2015) An international study to characterise recently acquired HIV infection in Estonia, Poland, and Ukraine. Doctoral thesis , UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

Serological methods to differentiate recent from non-recent HIV infections were introduced to routine surveillance in Poland, Estonia and Ukraine, to estimate HIV incidence and to characterise those newly-diagnosed and infected. Establishing the characteristics of populations at greatest risk of HIV enables appropriate and target prevention and intervention strategies to be developed, reducing risk of onward transmission. Using existing testing services within each country, residual samples from newly-diagnosed persons were tested for evidence of recent infection using an avidity assay. Data were collated in 2013-2014 using modified existing methods in Kiev City, Poland, and Estonia. Diagnosis rates for Kiev City, Poland and Estonia were 21.5, 1.2 and 29.7 per 100,000 population, respectively. Incidence estimates for Kiev City were 21.5 per 100,000 population, with 6.5% classified as recent. The disproportionate distribution of HIV were among men who have sex with men (MSM) and persons who inject drugs (PWID) was evident. Uncorrected estimates for Poland and Estonia were 30% and 44%, respectively. This work enables targeted public health action and health promotion work to be made, laying the foundation for local and national guidelines.

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