Is HIV incidence increasing in homo/bisexual men attending GUM clinics in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?

Abstract

Laboratory recognition of recent infection allows HIV incidence to be monitored. We have determined HIV incidence in homo/bisexual men attending 15 genitourinary medicine clinics (GUM) across England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EW&NI). The estimated HIV incidence for 2002 was 3.5%, an increase from the 2.5% incidence seen in 2000 and 2001. Incidence was higher in London than outside, though outside London the overall incidence has recently increased over two-fold from 1% in 2001 to 2.5% in 2002. Throughout the UK HIV incidence may have risen in homo/bisexual men attending GUM clinics.