ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence rate and risk factors of HIV infection among sero-negative spouses of people living with HIV/AIDS (HIV/AIDS) in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted from February 2009 to December 2014 in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province. Questionnaire survey and HIV related tests were carried out once a year. RESULTS: By the end of December 2014, 2 091 sero-negative spouses had been recruited, of whom 1 692 were followed-up for at least one time. RESULTS showed that 34 new HIV infections were identified within 5 494.52 person years of follow-up, for an overall incidence of 0.62 per 100 person years. HIV incidence rates appeared as 0.79 per 100 person years, 0.62 per 100 person years, 0.47 per 100 person years in 2009-2010, 2011-2012, 2013-2014, respectively. Data from the Cox proportional hazard regression model indicated that risk factors of HIV infection among sero-negative spouses of HIV/AIDS were: non-consistent condom use (HR=4.64, 95%CI: 1.89-11.40,P= 0.001), HIV/AIDS delayed antiviral retrovirus therapy (ART) for more than one year (HR=3.70, 95% CI: 1.44-9.49,P=0.007) after the HIV negative spouses were initially recruited, HIV/AIDS did not receive any ART (HR=3.62, 95% CI: 1.14-11.51,P=0.029). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of HIV infection among sero-negative spouses in Dehong prefecture was relatively low. Publicity on consistent condom use program should be emphasized among sero-negative spouses of HIV/AIDS, together with the timely provision of ART to those HIV/AIDS.