The Unexpected Movement of the HIV Epidemic into the Southeastern United States: Transmission among College Students

Despite the large number (approximately 16 million) of individuals enrolled in universities and colleges in the US, this sexually active population has not been perceived as a group at high risk for acquiring HIV infection.

In 2003, two men attending a college in North Carolina were diagnosed with acute HIV infection. Researchers conducted a retrospective epidemiologic study of men attending college in North Carolina who were newly diagnosed with HIV.

The epidemiologists reviewed state surveillance records examining new HIV diagnoses in men 18-30 years old between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2003, living in 69 North Carolina counties. Risk behavior and demographic information for HIV-infected men enrolled in college were compared with HIV-infected male non enrollees.

Results

Of the 735 records available for review, 84 (11%) were college men.

Eighty-seven percent of college men were African American and 92% were or men who have sex with men and women (MSM/W). men who have sex with men (MSM)

Compared with non college men, college men were more likely to be African American, to report meeting sex partners at bars or dance clubs or on the Internet/chat lines, or to report use of "ecstasy" or club drugs.

Newly diagnosed HIV infection was found in men in 37 colleges located in North Carolina or surrounding states and a sexual partner network investigation linked 21 colleges, 61 students, and 8 partners of students.

Conclusion

The authors conclude, “We describe an epidemic of HIV infection occurring in North Carolina college students, primarily involving African American MSM and MSM/W. College students represent an at-risk, accessible population, which deserves further HIV prevention interventions.”

O4/01/05

Reference
L B Hightow and others. The Unexpected Movement of the HIV Epidemic in the Southeastern United States: Transmission Among College Students. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 38(5): 531-537. April 15, 2005.