New Zealand's HIV infected population under active follow-up during 2000

71% of the cohort of whom 62% had HIV viral load measurements below 400 copies/mL. An upper estimate of diagnosed HIV individuals living in New Zealand at 30/9/2000 was 801. Conclusions. This is the first time that the demographic and clinical state of HIV infected individuals has been assessed throughout New Zealand. The results suggest a slightly lower number of HIV infected individuals currently living in New Zealand than previously estimated. Anti-retroviral therapy is being used effectively within the HIV infected population. The changing demographics, with a higher proportion of people under care from Africa, increasing numbers of females, and an increase in the proportion with heterosexual risk factors are particular challenges. Abstract Aim. To audit New Zealand's HIV infected population currently under active follow-up. Methods. Multiple sources were used to determine anonymously the demographic and management characteristics of HIV infected individuals being monitored with HIV viral load measurements and/or receiving antiretroviral therapy during 2000. Results. 593 people (480 males and 113 females) were under active follow-up. The most common transmission risk was male homosexual contact (56%) followed by heterosexual contact (28%), injecting drug use (3%) and mother to infant transmission (1%). Ethnicity data showed a disproportionate number of Africans (13%) compared to recent census figures. Anti-retroviral therapy was used in HIV infection prevalence in New Zealand is currently low by world standards with the rate estimated by UNAIDS at the end of 1999 to be 6.2 per 10 000 adults aged 15-49 years. 1 This rate is less than half the estimate for Australia (14.7 per 10 000), very much lower than the United States (61 per 10 000) and almost pales into insignificance when compared with South Africa where it is estimated that 20% of the 15-49 year age group are infected. 1 Nevertheless, the effect of HIV infection in New Zealand has a major impact on the lives of those infected, their families and friends and those close to the more than 550 people who have already died as a consequence of HIV/AIDS. The last six years have seen dramatic changes in the management of HIV infection, with the advent of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). HAART, defined as combination therapy with three or more anti-retroviral drugs, has led to marked falls in the incidence of opportunistic infections and increases in life expectancy for those with HIV infection. HIV medical care in New Zealand is provided by a limited number of infectious diseases physicians, sexual health specialists and some general practitioners (GPs) with high HIV caseloads. This small number of providers has enabled us to undertake a national audit of New Zealand's HIV infection population receiving ongoing follow-up. The primary aims were to determine the number and demographic characteristics of those being followed during the first nine months of 2000 through linking HIV surveillance data to the immunological, viral load and treatment regimen status of individuals. In addition these data were used to estimate the total number of people with diagnosed HIV living in New Zealand.