Impact of the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa on the pattern of HIV in the UK

A report published in July AIDS describes the epidemiology of HIV infection acquired in Africa and among African communities in the UK using national HIV and AIDS surveillance data to the end of December 2001.

The investigators report 9,993/48,226 (21%) of all reported HIV infections diagnosed during the study period were probably acquired in Africa and that of these 90% of these infections were acquired heterosexually.

Numbers of diagnoses of HIV infection acquired in Africa have increased rapidly, with rises in infections from southeastern and southern Africa predominating recently. Among those living with diagnosed HIV infection in 2000, 4,883/21,291 (23%) were described as black African, 81% of whom lived in London. The proportion living in London has declined over successive prevalence surveys.

The authors conclude: “The future of HIV infection among Africans living in the United Kingdom is unpredictable, and continued surveillance of the situation is essential.”

Sinka, K; Mortimer J; Evans, B et al. Impact of the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa on the pattern of HIV in the UK AIDS 2003, 17: 1683 -1690