[Characteristics and the first CD4T lymphocytes test of newly-reported HIV/AIDS cases aged 50 years and above in the third round of China comprehensive AIDS response program].

To understand the characteristics and the first CD4T lymphocytes (CD4) test of newly-reported HIV/AIDS cases aged 50 years and above in the third round of China comprehensive AIDS response (CARES) program. The data of newly-reported HIV/AIDS cases aged 50 years and above from 2014 to 2018 were collected from the National Information system for HIV/AIDS Control and Prevention of Chinese System for Disease Control and Prevention. The Cochran-Armitage trend test and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. There were 8 288, 9 512, 11 315, 13 091, and 14 673 newly-reported cases of HIV/AIDS aged 50 years and above in the third round of China CARES in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, respectively, for a total of 56 879 cases. The majority of cases were male (75.7%). The main route of transmission was heterosexual transmission (87.8%). Most of the cases were diagnosed by medical institutions (68.6%). 69.6% of HIV/AIDS cases completed the first CD4 test within 10 working days after the diagnosis of HIV infection. Among the 29 078 HIV/AIDS cases who had their first CD4 test immediately after diagnosis of HIV infection, the proportions of CD4 cell count <200 cells/μl and <500 cells/μl were 66.5% and 93.8%, respectively. The results of logistic regression analysis of the factors related to the first CD4 test immediately showed that, compared to cases with an education level of elementary school and below, (95%) values for timely CD4 testing of cases with an education level of junior high school, high school or technical secondary school and junior college or above were 1.113 (1.063-1.166), 1.205 (1.128-1.289) and 1.277 (1.160-1.406) respectively. Compared to cases aged 50-59 years, (95%) values for timely CD4 testing of cases aged 70-79 years and ≥80 years were 0.864 (0.816-0.914) and 0.612 (0.554-0.676), respectively. Compared to cases diagnosed by HIV voluntary counseling and testing, (95%) value for timely CD4 testing of cases diagnosed by medical institutions was 0.750 (0.714-0.788). The number of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases aged 50 and above was increasing year by year in the third round of China CARES, with a predominance of men and previous infections. The proportion of timely CD4 tests was drastically increasing. The factors associated with timely CD4 test included primary school or below education level, ≥70 years old, and cases diagnosed by medical institutions. The third round of China CARES should focus on strengthening the prevention of AIDS and early detection of HIV/AIDS cases among the elderly.