Development of an HIV clinical cohort database for enhancing epidemiologic surveillance in Hong Kong

• Published in: Asia-Pacific journal of public health Vol. 23; no. 3; p. 408
• Main Authors: Lee, Shui Shan, Lee, Krystal Chi Kei, Lee, Man Po, Tse, Ian Chi Tat, Mak, Wai Lai, Li, Patrick Chung Ki, Wong, Ka Hing, Sung, Joseph Jao Yiu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China 01.05.2011
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Cohort Studies; Databases, Factual; Feasibility Studies; Female; HIV Infections - diagnosis; HIV Infections - epidemiology; Homosexuality, Male - statistics & numerical data; Hong Kong - epidemiology; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pilot Projects; Population Surveillance - methods; Young Adult; Hong Kong
• ISSN: 1941-2479
• DOI: 10.1177/1010539509346979

The Hong Kong HIV Cohort Database is an observational cohort including all patients enrolled in 2 HIV specialist clinical services in Hong Kong. Basic demographics, HIV transmission category, and the diagnoses of AIDS were captured using a standardized template. As of December 2006, 2132 HIV cases had been registered in the database, representing two thirds of all reports submitted to the government's surveillance system. Non-Chinese and young females≤24 years were less represented in the cohort. Description of cohort cases was, however, more complete in terms of transmission category and presentation with AIDS-defining illnesses. Overall, Pneumocystis jirovecci, tuberculosis, and systemic mycosis accounted for a majority of AIDS cases within 3 months of HIV diagnosis. There was a gradual rise of HIV positive men having sex with men in the cohort, notably after 2002, an observation also made in other Asian countries.