HIV testing uncommon in teens despite recommendations: CDC

CHICAGO (AP) — Fewer than 1 in 4 high school students who’ve had sex have ever been tested for HIV, a troubling low rate that didn’t budge over eight years, government researchers say. Young adults fared slightly better, although testing rates have declined in black women, a high-risk group.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and an influential preventive health panel recommend routine HIV testing at least once for teens and adults. They also advise at least yearly screening for high-risk patients including those with multiple sex partners, gay or bisexual boys and men and injection drug users. The American Academy of Pediatrics has similar advice targeting teens only.

Nearly half of U.S. high school students have had sex, often without using condoms, which can help prevent the spread of HIV, which causes AIDS. About 15 percent report having had at least four sex partners.

Some teens underestimate their HIV risk and have doctors who are unaware of the recommendations, according to the CDC researchers who did the study. The health agency says inadequate sex education is another challenge; in a report last month, it said fewer than half of U.S. high schools and middle schools teach CDC-recommended sexual health education including HIV-related topics.

Other CDC data show there’s been an overall decline in HIV cases nationwide in recent years.

About 50,000 people are diagnosed each year with HIV and 1 in 4 new infections occur in those aged 13 to 24.

The new study was published online Tuesday in Pediatrics.

Led by CDC health scientist Michelle Van Handel, the researchers analyzed 2005-13 national health surveys involving high school students, and 2011-13 surveys involving adults aged 18 to 24.

Some highlights:

SCREENING RATES

Overall, 22 percent of high school students reported ever have been tested for HIV — and only one-third who’d had at least four sexual partners — rates that remained stable during the study.

The rate remained at an average 27 percent for young adult men but dipped among young women from 42 percent to 40 percent. It was much higher for black women but fell from 69 percent to 60 percent.

HIV INFECTIONS

Nearly 10,000 13- to 24-year-olds were diagnosed with HIV in 2014, CDC data show. The rate was minimal for 13-year-olds, climbed to almost 9 out of 100,000 for 15- to 19-year-olds and nearly tripled for 20- to 24-year olds. Van Handel said those spikes in infections underscore the importance of starting testing early.

Adults aged 25 to 29 have the highest infection rate among age groups — almost 36 per 100,000. Rates are higher among some other groups, including blacks.

THE TESTS

HIV screening can be done with simple blood draws, mouth swabs or urine tests; insurance generally covers FDA-approved lab tests as free preventive care. Routine testing offers the best chance for early detection and treatment, the CDC says.

___

Online:

Pediatrics: http://www.pediatrics.org

CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/HIV

___

Follow AP Medical Writer Lindsey Tanner at http://www.twitter.com/LindseyTanner. Her work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/lindsey-tanner

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 17

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Larry Gamez and Rachel Ceja collect items for a Thanksgiving food basket to deliver to a house in the Mendenhall Valley on Saturday morning as part of St. Vincent de Paul’s annual distribution program. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Matching those hungry to help with those hungry to feast carries on as pre-Thanksgiving ritual

Food baskets delivered to hundreds of homes, food bank hosts annual drive on Saturday before holiday.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree reaches Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Nov. 20, to much celebration. (U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree photo)
Santa’s truck-driving helpers are east bound and down to Washington, DC

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree completes multiweek cross-country journey from Wrangell.

The Palmer project would sit in the watershed of the Chilkat River, pictured here. (Scott McMurren/Flickr under Creative Commons license 2.0)
Japanese smelting giant pulls out of major Southeast Alaska mining project

Palmer development, above the salmon-bearing Chilkat River, has for years fueled political divisions.

Juneau Police Department cars are parked outside the downtown branch station on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
JPD’s daily incident reports getting thinner and vaguer. Why and does it matter?

Average of 5.12 daily incidents in October down from 10.74 a decade ago; details also far fewer.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Monday, Nov. 18, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

The Douglas Island Breeze In on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
New owner seeks to transfer Douglas Island Breeze In’s retail alcohol license to Foodland IGA

Transfer would allow company to take over space next to supermarket occupied by Kenny’s Liquor Market.

Most Read