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. 2021 Aug 17;11(8):e050133.
doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050133.

Epidemiological factors associated with the absence of previous HIV testing among HIV-positive persons in Singapore, 2012-2017

Li Wei Ang  1 , Matthias Paul Han Sim Toh  2   3 , Irving Charles Boudville  2 , Chen Seong Wong  2   3   4 , Sophia Archuleta  2   3   5 , Vernon Lee  3   6 , Angela Chow  2   3   4   7 , Yee Sin Leo  2   3   4   7
Affiliations

Epidemiological factors associated with the absence of previous HIV testing among HIV-positive persons in Singapore, 2012-2017

Li Wei Ang et al. BMJ Open. .

Abstract

Objective: To assess the temporal trend and identify risk factors associated with the absence of previous HIV testing prior to their diagnosis among HIV-positive persons in Singapore.

Study design: Cross-sectional.

Setting and participants: We analysed data of HIV-positive persons infected via sexual transmission, who were notified to the National HIV Registry in 2012-2017.

Outcomes: Epidemiological factors associated with the absence of HIV testing prior to diagnosis were determined separately for two groups of HIV-positive persons: early and late stages of HIV infection at diagnosis.

Results: 2188 HIV-positive persons with information on HIV testing history and CD4 cell count were included in the study. The median age at HIV diagnosis was 40 years (IQR 30-51). Nearly half (45.1%) had never been tested for HIV prior to their diagnosis. The most common reason cited for no previous HIV testing was 'not necessary to test' (73.7%). The proportion diagnosed at late-stage HIV infection was significantly higher among HIV-positive persons who had never been tested for HIV (63.9%) compared with those who had undergone previous HIV tests (29.0%). Common risk factors associated with no previous HIV testing in multivariable logistic regression analysis stratified by stage of HIV infection were: older age at HIV diagnosis, lower educational level, detection via medical care and HIV infection via heterosexual transmission. In the stratified analysis for persons diagnosed at early-stage of HIV infection, in addition to the four risk factors, women and those of Malay ethnicity were also less likely to have previous HIV testing prior to their diagnosis.

Conclusion: Targeted prevention efforts and strategies are needed to raise the level of awareness of HIV/AIDS and to encourage early and regular screening among the at-risk groups by making HIV testing more accessible.

Keywords: HIV & AIDS; epidemiology; public health.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Percentage of sexually transmitted HIV-positive persons who did not have HIV tests prior to diagnosis by stage of HIV infection at diagnosis in Singapore, 2012–2017.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution (%) of test sites of sexually transmitted HIV-positive persons for their last negative HIV test result prior to diagnosis by stage of HIV infection at diagnosis in Singapore, 2012–2017. DRC, drug rehabilitation centre; DSC, Department of STI Control; STI, sexually transmitted infection.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Distribution (%) of reasons for no previous HIV test prior to diagnosis among sexually transmitted HIV-positive persons by stage of HIV infection at diagnosis in Singapore, 2012–2017.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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