HIV cases rise among Latino women

February 1, 2006

By DAN JOHNSON
ARGUS-COURIER STAFF

The number of newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS cases continued to decline in 2004, but the proportion of Latino, female and heterosexual cases continued to rise, according to the Sonoma County Annual Report on the Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS released last month.

"This trend in Sonoma County is consistent with other parts of the country. The number of cases acquired through injection drug use actually has declined," said Dr. Mark Netherda, medical director of the Sonoma County Center for HIV Prevention and Care.

In 2003, 49 new AIDS cases were reported, 31 more than in 2004.

"While the number of newly diagnosed cases has continued to decline since 1992, our goal is to completely stop the spread of this disease," Netherda said. "The newer medications are working well for many people with HIV who are living longer, healthier lives.

"We can help people infected with HIV maintain good health for a long time, and delay an AIDS diagnosis for years, maybe decades, but we are most successful if we start them on medications while they are still healthy."

The number of new Hispanic cases dropped from 12 to six during this time, but in relation to the total new cases, increased from 24 percent to 32 percent. In 1999, only two of the 36 new cases, or 6 percent, were Latinos.

Female cases rose from seven in 2003 to eight in 2004, a jump from 18 percent to 22 percent of the total new cases. In 2000, five of the 655 new cases, or 8 percent, were females.

Heterosexual cases have fluctuated in numbers and percentages from 1999 to 2004. In 1999, three of 34 cases, or 9 percent, were heterosexuals, and in 2003, increased to nine of 38 cases, or 24 percent. In 2004, heterosexual cases fell from nine to six, or but this marked a rise from 24 percent to 32 percent in the total new cases. In 1999, only three of the 34 new cases, or 9 percent, were heterosexuals.

Sonoma has the seventh-highest total of people living with AIDS, 1,162, among California counties.

"But a lot of people seem to think that the HIV/AIDS epidemic is over," said Shari Brenner, HIV/AIDS section manager for the Sonoma County Department of Health Services.

Netherda urges Sonoma County residents to undergo more testing to assure early diagnosis and to prevent the disease from spreading.

A full copy of the report can be accessed at www.sonoma-county.org/health/ph/hiv/data.htm.

(Contact Dan Johnson at djohnson@arguscourier.com)