Recent HIV-1 Infection Epidemiological Trends and Associated Factors among Newly Identified Positives in Oromia, Ethiopia: Case Surveillance data (2019-2022)

Abstract Introduction: As countries progress their HIV responses, a robust surveillance system is mandatory. Reaching targets set for 2030 is impossible unless innovations are used. Antibody test for recency infection is one among them, and it distinguishes recent from long-term infections. Ethiopia started HIV case surveillance with recency testing in June 2019. However, data gathered through it wasn’t thoroughly analyzed and used for the response accordingly. Therefore, this study assessed recent HIV-1 infection epidemiological trends and associated factors among newly identified positives in Oromia. Method: HIV Case surveillance excel data was downloaded and exported from the regional REDCap database; cleaned and imported to SPSS 24. Descriptive and binary logistic regression analyses were computed. Variables with P-values of ≤ 0.20 were selected, and added for multivariable logistic regression analysis. A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Crudes and AORs with 95% CI were calculated. Results: Of 13,706 cases, 1,219(8.9%) were recent. High proportions were observed among females (72.8%), daily laborers (31.8%) and FSWs (22.6.%). Recent infection was significantly associated with age groups of 15-24 years AOR 2.03 (95% CI:1.53-2.59), 25-34 AOR 1.48 (95% CI: 1.17-1.87) and 35-44 years AOR 1.45(95% CI:1.14-1.85), never married AOR 1.76 (95% CI, 1.48-2.09), divorced/separated 1.42(95% CI: 1.19-1.69), widowed AOR 1.51(95% CI: 1.18-1.93), and paid/received gifts for sex AOR 4.11(95% CI: 1.02-16.57). Conclusion: Certain age groups, sexes and occupations with known risk behaviors had high proportions of recent infections. Hence, Sexual and Reproductive Health that specifically targets these groups is mandatory, along with continuous community awareness creation.