Michigan HIV/AIDS Surveillance Statistics Reports Archives

 

October 2008 Michigan HIV/AIDS Surveillance Statistics

  • Collecting HIV Data on Transgendered Persons
    From Wikipedia: Transgender is the state of one's "gender identity" (self-identification as woman, man, or neither) not matching one's "assigned sex" (identification by others as male or female based on physical/genetic sex). "Transgender" does not imply any specific form of sexual orientation; transgender people may identify as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, polysexual, or asexual.

    A review article from JAIDS "Sex Work and HIV Status Among Transgender Women: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis" JAIDS Vol. 48; No. 1: P. 97-103 (05.01.08) Operario, D, Soma, T, Underhill, K) identified 25 studies involving 6,405 participants recruited from 14 countries. Overall crude HIV prevalence was 27.3 percent in transgender female sex workers (TFSWs), 14.7 percent in transgender women not engaging in sex work, 15.1 percent in male sex workers, and 4.5 percent in biologically female sex workers. Meta-analysis showed that TFSWs had significantly higher risk for HIV infection compared to all other groups (relative risk [RR]=1.46, 95 percent confidence interval [CI]: 1.02 to 2.09) - particularly in comparison to female sex workers (RR=4.02, 95 percent CI: 1.06 to 10.11).

    This evidence of high rates of HIV among transwomen, i.e., persons born male but identifying as female, underscores the need to collect HIV data on this population. Currently the case report form collects sex at birth and, consequently, transwomen are usually identified as MSM in the HIV data. However, for prevention and care planning purposes they are a distinct group. We want to provide data on this group so that we can both measure the impact of HIV on this group and use the data to design effective prevention programs and care services.We are in the planning stages for collecting these data and welcome your input.

     

  • Medical Monitoring Project (MMP) Update
    MMP is a national supplemental surveillance project that will provide comprehensive clinical and behavioral information from a patient sample carefully selected to represent everyone receiving medical care for HIV in the United States. This project has two data collection components: a personal interview and a medical record abstraction. MMP staff coordinate with providers to invite each selected patient to participate in a face-to-face interview, which takes approximately one hour and includes questions concerning the patient�s medical history, use of medical and social services, medication adherence, and risk behaviors. Trained MMP medical record abstractors then collect additional information from the patient�s medical chart, which complements the data from the interview. A total of 401 patients from HIV-care providers throughout the State of Michigan, including the Upper Peninsula, were selected to participate in Michigan MMP last year. A new sample of HIV care providers was selected for 2008 and staff are in the process of contacting those providers. Please contact Mary Grzybowski, MPH PhD, MMP Coordinator at 313.876.0117 with any questions. 

 

July 2008 Michigan HIV/AIDS Surveillance Statistics
 

April 2008 Michigan HIV/AIDS Surveillance Statistics

The MDCH HIV/AIDS Surveillance team conducted in-depth analyses to investigate causes for the increased statewide prevalence estimate reported in the January 2008 statistics. Based on the findings of our investigation we found no evidence to support that the increase was due to enhanced or focused testing efforts at publicly funded clinics. Instead, we have concluded that the increase is a consequence of receiving increased laboratory reporting as a result of passing PA 514 in December 2004. PA 514 removed the exemption of laboratories to report HIV test results directly to MDCH and was implemented in April and July 2005.

  • Trends
    As in prior years we have again run an analysis of trends in new HIV diagnoses for the previous 5 years. We expect them to be available soon and we will send them to the HIV stats listserve in the near future.

  • HIV Testing and Treatment History information
    The HIV Testing and Treatment History information in Section VIII of the Michigan Adult HIV/AIDS Confidential Case Report Form is critical for estimates of HIV incidence in the general population. While obtaining patient history, please ask patients directly about:

  • Date of first positive HIV test
  • Date of last negative HIV test (OR indicate if never had a negative HIV test)
  • Number of negative HIV tests in the two years preceding the first positive HIV test. Note that this question does not ask about the total lifetime number of negative tests; only those negative tests in the last two years before the first positive test. If the positive tester had never tested before, enter "0" for prior negative tests.   
  • Antiretroviral medication use: Has the HIV positive tester used ARV to prevent/treat HIV or Hepatitis B? Some medications are used for both infections. If so, list medication name(s) with start (and stop, if applicable) date. ARV taken in the six-month period prior to specimen collection invalidates the incidence test.


    Please enter the above four pieces of information onto the case report form in Section VIII. Call Marianne OConnor Oconnormf@michigan.gov, HIV Incidence Coordinator, with any questions
    313-876-0854.
     

    • Confidentiality and Security Procedures
      Last quarter in this cover memo that accompanies the quarterly statistics we discussed how important the security of the information we collect on HIV-infected persons is to our program, that it is our number one priority and something that we examine daily as we do our work. To underscore this we have placed our confidentiality policy on our website: www.michigan.gov/hivstd.  If you would like to look at it you can go directly to it at:
      http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/HIV_Surv_Sec_and_Conf_Guide_191500_7.pdf

      One feature of our confidentiality and security (C&S) procedures is to orient all new staff by discussing the security and confidentiality guidelines, reviewing videos on social engineering, stolen access, use of email and other security and confidentiality topics.

       

    January 2008 Michigan HIV/AIDS Surveillance Statistics

    In the slide that shows HIV deaths for all ages for black men, white men, black women and white women you will see that black males and black female deaths are starting to edge up again. The trend is too new to test statistically but it is something we should be watching. In addition, for the first time, in 2006, the number of HIV deaths among black women (42) exceeded those among white men (34). However, there are 1.8 times as many white men living with HIV than black women, exacerbating the differences in the number of deaths in each group.

    This slide set also contains four slides showing leading causes of death for black men, white men, black women and white women, all aged 25-44. These data are not in the quarterly statistics but are added here for completeness.
     

    October 2007 Michigan HIV/AIDS Surveillance Statistics

    • QUARTERLY STATISTICS AND SLIDES
      The October 2007 HIV/AIDS statistics. These can also be found on the MDCH website  www.michigan.gov/hivstd along with other useful data analyses. Any questions you have can be directed to one of the staff.
       
    • PCRS TRAINING AVAILABLE
      HIV surveillance staff are available to provide training on Partner Counseling and Referral Services (PCRS) to health care providers and their staff. More in the full report.
       
    • PCRS PRIORITIES
      There are a few groups of people who are considered high priorities for partner counseling and referral services. Among them are pregnant women and people with a negative EIA test but a high viral load. If you have any questions, please contact your reporting contact.
       
    • ANALYSIS OF MICHIGAN HIV DATA IN NATIONAL PUBLICATION
      During the late 1990s Michigan participated in the Survey of HIV Disease and Care. The results of this study were used to design the current Medical Monitoring Project (MMP). The frequency of AIDS-defining opportunistic illnesses has been published. You can find this article at: http://www.aidsrestherapy.com/content/4/1/17.
       
    • MEDICAL MONITORING PROJECT (MMP) UPDATE:
      Surveillance staff working on the Medical Monitoring Project (MMP) have begun collecting data for the 2007 project cycle. MMP is a national supplemental surveillance project that will provide comprehensive clinical and behavioral information from a patient sample carefully selected to represent everyone receiving medical care for HIV in the United States. More in the full report.

    (Note: The full unedited report from MDCH Surveillance is available to download in PDF)

     

    July 1 2007 Michigan HIV/AIDS Surveillance Statistics

    • Quarterly Statistics New Format

      You will notice that the format of the quarterly statistics has been substantially revised. We did this in response to questions we receive on the statistics and commonly requested data analyses. Thanks go to Melissa Reznar for her work on this reformatting.

      Please be aware that we perform special data analyses upon request. If you have a specific data need that cannot be satisfied using the quarterly statistics or any of our other publications, do not hesitate to contact us. However, please allow two weeks between submission of the request and receipt of results.

     

    • New MDCH HIV/STD/Viral Hepatitis Website: www.michigan.gov/hivstd

      This new site combines the information that was in different locations on the state website, making it easier to find. It is the source for Michigan statistics on HIV and other STDS and Viral Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS prevention and care and also includes information on partner counseling and referral services, as well as relevant laws. Please check it out and share it with others. Thanks go to Elizabeth Hamilton for her work on this website.

     

    • Special Analysis: HIV/AIDS Rates by Race/Ethnicity in the 25 Highest HIV Prevalence Counties in Michigan, Special Focus on Hispanics

      This analysis is completed on a yearly basis. Prevalence rates for whites, blacks, and Hispanics are compared for the 25 highest prevalence counties in Michigan. Narrative within the document focuses on a comparison of the Hispanic rates. Of the 25 counties, only 8 had enough Hispanic cases to calculate reliable rates (i.e., 10 or more cases); all 8 of these counties’ Hispanic HIV/AIDS rates were higher than the rate of HIV among whites for that county. Please see the attached report for more detail.

     

    • Reports back to HIV/AIDS Reporting Sites

      Last summer we announced the implementation of a new software program to maintain the HIV/AIDS registry. One feature of this program is it allows us to provide feedback to our reporting sites on reporting time lag (i.e., time between diagnosis and report) as well as rate of risk ascertainment and provide these data to you for your site and, collectively, other comparable sites. We hope to provide these before the end of the year.

     

    • nPEP information for physicians

      Acting fast is critical when you are considering administering non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) to a patient who may have been exposed to HIV. After all, PEP can only prevent HIV infection if it is started less than 72 hours after a potential exposure. The article, referenced below, offers concise, step-by-step guidelines for assessing candidates for PEP, selecting antiretroviral regimens to prevent infection and contacting experts on PEP with whom to consult if you need additional guidance. Go to: The Body Pro June 13, 2007 Newsletter. http://www.thebodypro.com/content/art41079.html
       

    (Note: The unedited full report from MDCH Surveillance is also available to download in PDF)

     


    April 1 2007 Michigan HIV/AIDS Surveillance Statistics  

    • New Case Report Form Has Arrived
      Our new adolescent/adult HIV/AIDS case report form (DCH-1355) has replaced the previous CDC 50.42A form. The revised case report incorporates patient HIV testing and treatment history, marital status, genotype status and pregnancy history. Lavender paper copies can be obtained from our staff or your local health department. The form and instructions are also available on the web at: http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2945_5221-13855--,00.ht
    •  

    • Mode of HIV Transmission
      Collecting accurate information on how HIV-infected persons became HIV positive continues to be an important part of surveillance. Surveillance data are used to plan prevention programs and in order to do this in as focused a manner as possible it is vital that we know what behaviors are leading to HIV infection and how these behaviors change over time.

      New Risk Assessment Form - In order to assist providers with obtaining this information we have a form that you can give to patients that asks specific behavioral questions. If you give it to patients to complete you can send the form to us or use the information to complete the case report form. Please see form entitled “HIV Risk Assessment Questionnaire” enclosed with this quarter’s statistics and use it as you see fit.



    • Trend Documents
      These reviews of the epidemic in Michigan and Southeast Michigan, which our Section releases annually, will be released shortly.

    • New MDCH HIV/STD Website
      By this summer MDCH is expected to unveil a combined HIV/STD website. This new site will combine the information that is currently in different locations on the state website, making it easier to find information.


     

    January 2007 Michigan HIV/AIDS Surveillance Statistics  
      
    Quarterly Statistics and Slides - Thanks go to Jada Williams of the Section staff for creating this slide set

    See the PDF full report on the following topics:

    • New Case Report Form Coming
    • Testing History Questions for Incidence Estimate
    • Changes in HIV Prevalence Estimates
    • Medical Monitoring Project
    • Project Awake
    • New Federal AIDS Website
       


     October Quarterly HIV/AIDS Analysis
  • (see the PDF full report on the topics below)

    • NEW CASE REPORT FORM TO HELP WITH INCIDENCE SURVEILLANCE

      MDCH expects to release a revised version of the Adult HIV/AIDS Case report form before the end of the calendar year. The primary reason behind this revision is to incorporate testing history questions into the case report form. This will further integrate incidence surveillance into routine case reporting and help accurately assess HIV incidence. PDF full report

     

    • EFFECTS OF CHANGE IN HIV/AIDS REPORTING SOFTWARE SYSTEM

      In July 2006, the HIV surveillance program upgraded its surveillance system software from a DOS-based system called HARS (HIV/AIDS Reporting System) to a restricted-access browser-based system called eHARS (the "e" stands for Evaluation). This change in software necessitated changes in the way HIV and AIDS cases are counted (e.g. race is now required for all cases reported after January 1, 2002 in order for the cases to be counted). Thus, the case counts included in the October 2006 statistics may be different than expected. Throughout the next quarter, we plan to resolve the discrepancies between the two software systems in order to provide statistics that are more representative of the epidemic in January. PDF full report

     

    • Laboratory Reporting Data Used for Ryan White CARE Act (RWCA) Title I Grant Application

      Annually, the HIV surveillance program provides data to the MDCH HIV/AIDS Prevention and Intervention Section as well as the City of Detroit for the Title I and Title II RWCA grant applications. One important component of these grants that we provide data for is called “unmet need.” Unmet need refers to the population of HIV positive persons who have been notified of their positive HIV status but are not receiving minimally adequate HIV-related services, defined as receiving at least one viral load or CD4 count in a year. PDF full report

     

    July  2006 Quarterly HIV/AIDS Analysis

    • As a read only PowerPoint presentation with notes

      Special Reports
    • Upgraded Surveillance System Software

      The HIV Surveillance section recently upgraded its surveillance system software from a DOS-based system called HARS (HIV/AIDS Reporting
      System) to a restricted-access browser-based system called eHARS (the e stands for Evaluation). The CDC is planning to implement this upgrade nationwide, and is currently working on deploying its fifth site (Michigan was number four). This change in software necessitated changes in the way HIV and AIDS cases are counted (e.g. race is now required for all cases reported after January 1, 2002 in order for the cases to be counted). Thus, the case counts included in next quarters statistics (October 1, 2006) may be different than expected. eHARS will also enable us to monitor completeness and timeliness of reporting more accurately.
      As such, we hope to collect variables such as risk and facility/physician of diagnosis more rigorously (note that physician of diagnosis is a new variable we are now collecting).

       

    • HIV INCIDENCE AND RESISTANCE SURVEILLANCE IN MICHIGAN

      Implementation of incidence surveillance in Michigan continues, with most laboratory systems in Michigan submitting remnant Western blot sera for incidence testing. Newly reported cases are eligible for the incidence test (as well as genotyping, see below). Testing history questionnaires are a required part of incidence surveillance and are sent to health care providers to be completed by newly reported individuals at their next visit. Answers to a few testing history questions are needed to the generalize data we receive on persons who are diagnosed as HIV-infected to the total population, including those who are not yet diagnosed. Please contact the HIV Incidence Surveillance Coordinator with any questions or concerns: Marianne OConnor 313-876-0854, oconnormf@michigan.gov  .

      Antiretroviral resistance testing is entering its third year in Michigan with just over two-thirds of all newly diagnosed HIV positive testers routinely genotyped as part of their diagnostic HIV protocol.
      Genotypes are performed in Lansing at our state health department laboratory on remnant diagnostic serum and returned to clinical providers within 3 weeks of receipt. If you would like additional information about how to submit serum to MDCH so that this routine testing can be performed free of charge for your confidential testers please contact Mary-Grace Brandt at 313 876-4115 or brandtmg@michigan.gov.

     

    • HIV CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

      In June Eve Mokotoff attended a consultation in Atlanta to participate in the process of updating the current HIV classification system. The most recently published system (December 1992) was never widely implemented and CDC is interested in updating it to make it relevant, clinically useful and to integrate AIDS as a severe stage of HIV disease into the classification system. The purposes of the classification system are to predict prognosis, guide treatment and provide a common language for: 1) clinical research, 2) epidemiologic studies, 3) disease reporting and surveillance, 4) prevention and control activities, and
      5) public health policy and planning, It would have a hierarchical design usually associated with disease severity/progression. The proposed system would have three levels and be primarily CD4 based with clinical evidence required only for AIDS (the third and most severe level).

     

    • DEVELOPMENT OF A DEFINITION FOR ACUTE HIV INFECTION

      The June consultation also discussed development of a definition for acute HIV infection (AHI). An acute HIV infection occurs immediately after initial infection with HIV, and infectiousness lasts for about
      4+
      weeks at an extremely high level. It is estimated that during this stage of HIV, a person has the highest viral loads and is the most infectious of any time in their whole clinical course until death. About 40+% of cases have identifiable symptoms that could lead to diagnosis (if a clinician considered the diagnosis in their differential and ordered the nucleic acid-based tests necessary to make the diagnosis.) Because the patients feel relatively well during this time, they usually continue the same HIV high-risk behavior that led to their infection.
      There are several potential benefits to identifying cases of AHI, including the chance to interrupt high-level transmission through education and treatment of the patient and to prioritize partner notification assistance. The proposed surveillance case definition
      includes: 1) documented evidence of detectable plasma or serum HIV RNA, DNA or p24 antigen along with a negative or indeterminate HIV antibody test, followed by later conversion to a positive HIV antibody test and
      2) a documented negative HIV serology followed within 3-6 months by a documented positive HIV serology test. The consultants recommended adding AHI to the proposed HIV classification system as a fourth category.

      The challenge is to educate primary care physicians who are in practices likely to encounter patients with AHI as to how to recognize a clinically suspicious case and how to do a confirmatory test. If you or your colleagues have a patient with a negative antibody test but a high viral load please make it a high priority to report the person so we can help prioritize the person for assistance with notifying partners.
       

    April 2006 Quarterly HIV/AIDS Analysis

    (See the MDCH website for all archived HIV/AIDS statistics http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2940_2955_2982_46000_46003-35962--,00.html)

    Special Reports:

    • PARTNER COUNSELING AND REFERRAL SERVICES TRAINING (PCRS)

      The MDCH HIV/AIDS Surveillance staff are available to clinical sites to conduct trainings on PCRS (formerly known as Partner Notification or PN) for clinical staff. These trainings can be small meetings with just a few staff or a presentation to a larger group. The HIV/AIDS case report form is the most common way assistance with PCRS for newly diagnosed patients is requested. Please contact your staff person (see list below) to request trainings on this topic.

     

    • HIV INCIDENCE AND RESISTANCE SURVEILLANCE IN MICHIGAN

      Michigan is one of 34 sites nationally in the process of implementing incidence surveillance by using a test that distinguishes recent infection from recent diagnosis among persons newly reported with HIV. The test uses remnant serum from positive Western blot specimens. This protocol has been reviewed by both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the MDCH Institutional Review Boards (IRB) and was determined by both to be surveillance and not research and is, therefore, exempt from IRB review.

      Health care providers may receive a short questionnaire in the mail inquiring about the patient's past HIV testing history, reasons for testing and recent medication for HIV or Hepatitis B. These questions will eventually be included on a revised HIV/AIDS case report form, so please begin to gather the information routinely from patients. Testing history will be used to weight test results to obtain incidence estimates for the general population, a very high priority for CDC, MDCH and the U.S. Congress. Your timely response to these questions will enable us to calculate population estimates of persons recently infected. CDC and MDCH plan to use this information to target prevention messages to persons most recently infected with HIV.

      The incidence test is FDA approved for surveillance purposes only and reliability has not been established for individuals, therefore results cannot be returned to patients nor clinicians. Please direct any questions to Marianne O'Connor, HIV Incidence Coordinator using the contact information at the bottom of this memo.

      Another related CDC HIV surveillance project that has been operational within the MDCH laboratory system for almost 2 years is VARHS, or Variant, Atypical and Resistant HIV Surveillance. Through VARHS, genotype drug resistance and subtype information is provided on all newly diagnosed HIV positive specimens sent to the MDCH lab system free of charge. These results - run automatically on all positive remnant HIV diagnostic testing serum as part of the new standard of care for HIV testing in Michigan - are returned upon request to providers. Please contact Mary-Grace Brandt using the contact information at the bottom of this memo if you should have questions, require additional information, or would like to obtain a genotype on a newly diagnosed HIV positive individual.

     

    • UPDATE ON THE MEDICAL MONITORING PROJECT (MMP)

      MMP is a CDC-sponsored, multi-state enhanced HIV surveillance project designed to gather information about the status of HIV-positive persons in care throughout the United States; Michigan has been selected to participate. Data collection will consist of interviewing a sample of patients who are in care for HIV and reviewing their medical records. Consultants at the RAND Corporation are conducting the sampling, using methods that will provide data that are population-based and representative at the national, state, and local levels.

      The initial phase of implementation in Michigan is nearing completion. A comprehensive, statewide list of HIV care providers has been assembled, and it consists of 124 outpatient clinics and 40 inpatient facilities. For MMP, an HIV care provider is defined as clinic or facility where CD4+ T-cell counts or viral load measurements are conducted, or where antiretroviral medications are prescribed, for HIV-infected patients. A sample of these providers is being selected at RAND. The sample of HIV care providers will include representatives of the range of sizes and locations of providers throughout the state, and the validity of the project findings will depend upon all of the selected providers participating. After the cooperation of the selected providers is obtained, patients will be randomly selected from their patient populations.

      Information derived from the MMP data will be used for public health planning purposes, and will address questions such as the following:
      · How many people living with HIV/AIDS are getting care for HIV?
      · How easy is it to access care and use prevention and support services?
      · What needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS are not met?
      · How is treatment affecting people living with HIV/AIDS?
      A summary of the Michigan data will be given to all the participating providers. At the local and state levels, MMP data will be useful for maintaining Ryan White CARE Act (RWCA) funding, evaluating resource needs for prevention and care, evaluating the impact of prevention programs, and developing the Epidemiologic Profiles of HIV/AIDS in Michigan. Nationally, MMP data will be used to evaluate the impact of RWCA funding and the effectiveness of treatment guidelines in preventing opportunistic infections and slowing progression of HIV disease.

      We will contact the HIV care providers selected to participate in 2006 in the next few months. Complete information about participating in the project will be provided, and MMP project leaders will address any questions or concerns the providers may have. MMP staff will perform all data collection. Every effort will be made to minimize the impact of participating in MMP on the providers' time and resources, and to make participating in MMP an interesting and rewarding experience.


    STAFF CHANGES

    We would like to welcome Danielle Radford to our group. Danielle has been with us since October 2005. Her main duties include processing HIV laboratory reports, communicating with HIV reporting sites, assisting on special projects (STARHS and ALOHA), and providing assistance for the STD Epidemiologist in the data entry and cleaning of STD labs reports.

     

    January 2006 Quarterly HIV/AIDS Analysis

    Special Reports:

    • PREVALENCE ESTIMATES

      Since April 2005, MDCH has been implementing PA 514, which requires laboratories to report HIV test results. The addition of laboratory reporting to the HIV surveillance system has increased the case reports received and has improved reporting completeness, bringing the number of reported cases closer to the previously calculated prevalence estimates. However, since this procedure is still new, MDCH has not had enough months of complete laboratory reporting to fully evaluate the impact of PA 514 on the HIV/AIDS prevalence estimates. Consequently, MDCH does not have sufficient data to recalculate the current prevalence estimate and it remains at 16,200. This estimate will be re-calculated for the July 2006 statistics at which time MDCH should have sufficient data to evaluate the impact of PA 514. The estimate is based on adding the following three components and rounding: 1) the number of cases living with HIV/AIDS, 2) the number of known HIV+ cases not yet reported, estimated at 20 percent of the reported living HIV/AIDS cases, and 3) the number of HIV+ cases that have not yet been tested, estimated at 25 percent of the total cases living with HIV/AIDS (identical to the CDC estimate

     

    • CHANGES SEEN SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LABORATORY REPORTING

      Preliminary analyses show that new diagnoses of HIV in MI have been increasing since the implementation of PA 514 in April 2005. Diagnoses of AIDS cases have also been increasing, and at a higher rate, due in large part to the laboratory reporting of CD4 values. These increases cannot be properly measured until we have had a longer stretch of laboratory reporting. MDCH plans to conduct our first analysis of the effect of PA 514 during Summer 2006.

      Danielle Radford, Program Assistant is new to the Lansing office. She is helping with the implementation of PA 514 and assisting with HIV surveillance. She can be reached at (517) 335-9028.

     

    • BOOKLET ON MICHIGAN HIV LAWS

      A booklet written by the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Intervention Section (HAPIS) entitled Michigan HIV Laws; How They Affect Physicians and Other Health Care Workers has been revised. It now includes information on the lab reporting requirement that went into effect last year. It can also be found at: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mihivlaws_49845_7.pdf 

     

    • MEASURING INCIDENCE IN MICHIGAN

      Michigan has been integrating incidence surveillance into routine case surveillance. As a part of this effort CDC is requiring the answer to several testing history questions. These are needed to use the data we receive on persons who are diagnosed as HIV-infected to estimate incidence in the total population, including those who are not yet diagnosed. Testing history questionnaires are being sent out to providers for newly reported cases and we are considering other ideas for how to best obtain this information from providers. Please contact the HIV Incidence Coordinator with any questions or concerns: Marianne OConnor 313-876-0854 and email.

     

    • ONGOING DEDUPLICATION OF AIDS CASES WITH OTHER STATES

      Michigan is participating in a national effort to keep the national HIV and AIDS databases as clean as possible. This means routinely communicating with other states about cases reported in both states. The result is that periodically you may see numbers decrease in some categories. The data from the most recent deduplication effort were uploaded January 2006. Cumulatively, Michigan lost 76 AIDS diagnoses, 88 HIV diagnoses (80 of these cases were HIV in MI and AIDS in the other state) to other states. Considering only living cases, Michigan lost 64 living AIDS cases to other states, which is 1.0% of all living AIDS cases in Michigan. Also, Michigan lost 82 living HIV cases, which is 1.3% of all living cases of HIV, not AIDS in Michigan to other states. Currently, there is no available data on the effect of this deduplication effort on other states.

     

    • PERINATAL HIV

      MDCH has two new brochures on the HIV testing requirement for pregnant women. One is for patients and the other is for providers. These can be found on the web at: www.michigan.gov/documents/One-Test-Michigan-01-06_147016_7.pdf  and www.michigan.gov/documents/Its-The-Law-Michigan-01-06_147015_7.pdf 

      The brochure for pregnant women, titled "One Test May Save Your Baby's Life" provides information to women to increase their awareness that HIV testing should be a standard test during prenatal care and/or at labor and delivery. It also provides information for women that mother to child HIV transmission can be practically eliminated if a woman knows her HIV status during pregnancy and receive appropriate medical treatment. The brochure for providers, tilted "It's the Law" provides information on Michigan's Compiled Law that requires HIV testing of pregnant women. It also provides information on other Department recommendations, resources, and referrals.
       

    October 2005 Quarterly HIV/AIDS Analysis

    Special Reports:

    • Supplement to HIV/AIDS Surveillance Project (SHAS) II Summary

      This summary of recently collected SHAS data contains data from 1174 persons interviewed from 2000-2004 and has been posted on the MDCH website: www.michigan.gov/mdch. SHAS I ended in 2000 and a summary of SHAS I data can be found also be found on the MDCH website.

      SHAS was a collaborative effort between CDC and 16 health departments in the United States. It was conducted in Detroit from 1990-2004. Individuals who receive HIV related care at selected health care facilities in SE Michigan and are at least 18 years of age, were invited to a one-time interview to obtain descriptive information. SHAS collected information on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, drug use history, sexual behavior and disease history, reproductive/gynecological history and child health, preventive therapy, and medical and social service use information.

     

    • Evaluation Project Summary

      During 2002, Michigan was one of 10 states participating in an evaluation of HIV/AIDS reporting. It was a comprehensive evaluation and overall we did well. A summary of this project is enclosed with this quarter s statistics. We expect several of these measures (specifically timeliness and completeness) to improve dramatically with the implementation of laboratory reporting of HIV-related tests. We will analyze our data in 2006 to assess any changes in these measures.

     

    • Behavioral Surveillance Data on HIV Infection among Black Men who have Sex with Men

      In 2004 CDC funded 17 cities to study HIV-related behaviors among MSM. (Michigan was not part of the 2004 study). The results from five of those cities (Baltimore, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, and San Francisco) were published in the June 24, 2005 MMWR http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5424a2.htm . The study showed that 46 percent of Black MSM in the study were HIV-positive and 67 percent were unaware of their infection before study participation. Although the study was not conducted in Detroit, these are very high proportions and MDCH will continue to target this vulnerable group for testing, prevention and care.

      Behavioral surveillance is conducted in cycles and Michigan joined this surveillance study during the current IDU cycle. Next year high-risk heterosexuals will be the target group and, in 2007, Michigan will participate in the MSM cycle.

     

    • Using Viral Loads as a Proxy Test for HIV-infection

      As the state continues to implement lab reporting of HIV and related tests we have observed the use, by some physicians, of the viral load test in persons who have not been previously diagnosed as HIV-infected using antibody tests. There are varying reasons for this practice. Some believe that it is a better test than the antibody test. In other cases it appears to be used to screen patients before surgery. Given this latter scenario we share the information below from Updated US Public Health Service Guidelines for the Management of Occupational Exposures to HIV and Recommendations for Postexposure Prophylaxis. (MMWR R&R September 30, 2005 Vol 54 No. RR-9):http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5011a1.htm

      The use of source-person viral load as a surrogate measure of viral titer for assessing transmission risk has not yet been established. Plasma viral load (e.g., HIV RNA) reflects only the level of cell-free virus in the peripheral blood; latently infected cells might transmit infection in the absence of viremia. Although a lower viral load (e.g., <1,500 RNA copies/mL) or one that is below the limits of detection probably indicates a lower titer exposure, it does not rule out the possibility of transmission.

       

    July 2005 Quarterly HIV/AIDS Analysis

    Special Reports

    • HITS Data summary
      Enclosed please find two summaries of the HIV Testing Survey (HITS) that was conducted in 2002 in Michigan in Detroit, Oakland County and Grand Rapids. One summarizes Michigan-wide data and the other summarizes just the Detroit data. They can also be found on the above-referenced web page. These surveys were conducted at bars among men who have sex with men, at public health department STD clinics among high-risk heterosexuals and on the street and at needle exchanges among IDUs. Information collected includes: rates of testing, reasons for testing (or not testing), needle sharing and numbers of sex partners.
       

    April 2005 Quarterly HIV/AIDS Analysis


    Special Reports:

    • Morbidity Monitoring Project (MMP) - The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has been awarded funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to participate in a new enhanced HIV surveillance project, the Morbidity Monitoring Project (MMP) for the next four years. Since 1999, MDCH has participated in the pilot project, the Survey of HIV Disease and Care (SHDC), which included medical record reviews 1999-2004, and, in 2004, interviews. MMP will consist of interviews and medical record reviews of persons in care for HIV and replaces both the Adult/Adolescent Spectrum of Disease (ASD) and Supplement to HIV/AIDS (SHAS) projects that Michigan participated in from 1990 until they were discontinued by CDC in June 2004. While ASD and SHAS were conducted in Detroit, the MMP will be statewide. Linkage of data from interviews and medical record reviews will be a powerful tool for studying the influences of behavioral and environmental factors on HIV disease status and vice versa. For example, MMP interviews will address access to and utilization of health care by HIV-infected persons, and quality of life among persons living with HIV. MMP medical record reviews will address, for example, the treatments prescribed and diagnoses of conditions that may be related to HIV.
          MMP will provide data that is population-based and representative at the national, state, and local levels. Consultants from the Rand Corporation are doing the sampling. They are using a three-stage sampling scheme similar to the one they used for the HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study (HCSUS). The statewide sample of facilities and individual physicians that provide HIV-related care will include all sizes and locations of providers, and the participation of all selected providers will be crucial for the validity of the national, state, and local data analyses.
    • DISPARITIES BY RACE AND Sex IN THE HOSPITALIZATION OF HIV-INFECTED PERSONS, SOUTHEAST MI, 1990-2003 - Enclosed with this quarter's statistics is a poster summarizing ASD data that was presented at the American Foundation for AIDS Research 2005 National Update Conference in Oakland CA in mid April. It shows that, even after adjusting for injection and non-injection drug use, number of clinic visits, public health insurance and history of AIDS defining illnesses, black men and women were still more likely than white men to be hospitalized.
    • Pregnancy and Other Factors Associated with Higher CD4 counts at HIV Diagnosis - In another ASD analysis recently published in Medscape General Medicine, we looked at factors associated with higher CD4 counts in persons presenting for care at our two ASD sites in Detroit. We found that pregnant women were significantly more likely to have higher CD4 counts at initial HIV diagnosis than either non-pregnant women or men. We concluded that routinely offering HIV testing in prenatal care, as required by Michigan law, resulted in earlier diagnoses of HIV in pregnant women, as indicated by their higher CD4+ T-cell counts. Increasing routine HIV testing of all persons seeking medical care may increase the overall proportion of HIV diagnoses that are made early in the disease process. A copy of this paper is enclosed with these April statistics.
    • Foreign Born Analysis - Enclosed with this quarter s statistics is an analysis of persons reported with HIV/AIDS in Michigan who were born outside of the United States. You will see that in Berrien and Kent Counties that the number of foreign born HIV-infected blacks (Berrien County) and Hispanics (Kent County) in recent years is larger than members of those race/ethnic groups born in the United States.

       

    January 2005 Quarterly HIV/AIDS Analysis

    Please direct any questions to Elizabeth Hamilton at (517) 335 8247)HamiltonE2@michigan.gov  

    Links to the statistics can always be found on this website in Statistics.

     

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