Revista de SIDA e investigación clínica

New HIV Diagnoses among Older Adults in the EU/EEA: Missed Opportunities and Barriers to Testing

Abstract

Lara Tavoschi, Giordano Madeddu and Anastasia Pharris

The rate of HIV diagnoses among older adults in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) is increasing. We performed a literature review to investigate factors associated with HIV infection, diagnosis and testseeking behaviour among older adults in the EU/EEA. We defined older adults as ≥ 50 years. We searched Embase and PubMed to identify studies on socio-demographic and clinical characteristics associated with new HIV diagnosis and factors influencing provision and uptake of HIV testing among older adults in EU/EEA and other high-income countries using the concepts of HIV infection and disease; older adults, and; testing and attitude towards testing. We included original papers or systematic reviews published from 2000 onwards and reporting data on the following themes: Patterns of HIV test uptake and attitudes, barriers and enablers influencing offer and uptake of HIV testing. Published evidence indicated large proportion of late diagnoses and a low likelihood of HIV testing among older adults, although results varied widely between studies. HIV test uptake was a function of several factors related to patient and provider, including perception of one’s risk. The active offer of an HIV test by the health care provider was the most significant factor positively associated with having a test. Scaling up HIV testing opportunities targeting older adults and the adult population at large is needed.