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BC trends in HIV for 2014 and AIDS for 2013

HIV

In 2014, the rate of new HIV diagnoses in British Columbia was 5.6 (261 cases) per 100,000 population, a slight decrease from 5.8 (267 cases) in 2013.

Demographic groups

  • The highest rates of new HIV diagnoses were in Vancouver Coastal and Northern Health Authorities.
  • Males continued to have higher rates of new HIV diagnoses than females.
  • Trends by ethnicity have shifted over the past 10 years, with the percentage of new diagnoses among ethnicities other than Caucasian gradually increasing.
  • In 2014, 45% of cases were Caucasian, 13% were Aboriginal peoples, and 10% were Asian. Over this time period, Aboriginal peoples have been disproportionately represented in BC’s HIV epidemic, comprising 11-17% of all new HIV diagnoses while comprising approximately 5% of the total provincial population.
  • The majority of new HIV diagnoses among Aboriginal peoples were in those who identify as First Nations. The number and rate of new HIV diagnoses among First Nations people have decreased over time and rates in males are comparable to rates in females.

New HIV diagnoses in BC by health authority, 2005 to 2014


New HIV diagnoses in BC by age group and gender, 2014


Exposure categories

  • Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) continued to comprise the greatest number of new HIV diagnoses in BC (58% of all new HIV diagnoses in 2014). Trends were elevated but stable with the greatest increase in new HIV diagnoses among MSM born after 1980. Over time, the proportion of new HIV diagnoses in MSM from ethnicities other than Caucasian has increased (37% in 2014).
  • The number of new HIV diagnoses in people who inject drugs (PWID) continued to decrease (10% of all new HIV diagnoses in 2014) for both males and females. The decrease in new diagnoses among PWID since 2008 is the main driver of the overall provincial decrease in new HIV diagnoses.
  • Overall, there was a slight decrease in new HIV diagnoses among people who acquire HIV through heterosexual contact (25% of all new HIV diagnoses in 2014). Within this category, 43% had an identified risk factor for HIV (e.g., partner known to be HIV positive or at higher risk, born/residing in an HIV endemic country).
  • In 2014, no infants acquired HIV from prenatal exposure.
  • A total of 54 HIV positive immigrants arrived in BC in 2014; 33% were from countries where HIV is considered to be endemic.

New HIV diagnoses in BC by exposure category, 2005 to 2014


AIDS

In 2013, the rate of AIDS case reports continued to decrease to 1.5 (68 cases) per 100,000 population.

  • The rate of AIDS cases in males is decreasing for most ages. Females have a lower rate of AIDS cases than males and overall trends are stable.
  • As with new HIV diagnoses, Aboriginal peoples continue to be disproportionately represented among AIDS cases in BC, comprising 9% of new AIDS cases in 2013.

AIDS rates in BC by health authority, 2004 to 2013


AIDS rates in BC by age group and gender, 2013


For more information

For a detailed description of HIV and AIDS trends in 2014/2013, please visit the BCCDC website to view the 2014 HIV Annual Report.