HIV testing for women “inadequate” in Auckland and Northland

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2022-06-10 00:01

New Zealand

PHOTO: Pixabay

Researchers analysed the cases of 56 women in the Auckland and Northland regions diagnosed with HIV over a 10-year period. A third of the women who were living in New Zealand before their diagnosis had opportunities to be diagnosed earlier that were missed. The study team says this demonstrates that there are inadequate levels of HIV testing for women in the Auckland and Northland regions and call for targeted screening efforts.

Media release

From: New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA)

We looked back at women diagnosed with HIV infection between 2011 and 2021 under the care of the Infectious Disease Unit at Auckland City Hospital. Fifty-six women were diagnosed during this period. The diagnosis was often made late when the woman presented with complications of an impaired immune system. A third of the women who were living in New Zealand before their diagnosis had opportunities to be diagnosed earlier that were missed. This demonstrates that there are inadequate levels of HIV testing for women in the Auckland and Northland regions.

Journal/
conference: New Zealand Medical Journal

Organisation/s: Auckland City Hospital

Funder: n/a

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