PREVALENCE OF HIV-INFECTION IN THE UNITED-STATES, 1984 TO 1992

Objective.-To estimate the number of persons infected with the human i mmunodeficiency virus (HIV) living in the United States and the change in HIV infection prevalence since 1984. Design.-We estimated HIV prev alence from 3 data sources. We estimated past HIV infection rates from a statistical procedure based on national acquired immunodeficiency s yndrome (AIDS) case surveillance data and estimates of the time from H IV infection to AIDS diagnosis. We also analyzed HIV prevalence data f rom 2 national surveys, a survey of childbearing women and a household survey of current health status. We used other data sources to adjust these survey estimates to include groups not covered in the surveys. Results.-Approximately 0.3% of US residents (650 000-900 000 persons) were infected with HIV in 1992, Approximately 0.6% of men (including a dolescent boys greater than or equal to 13 years of age) were infected , including approximately 2% of non-Hispanic black men and 1% of Hispa nic men, Approximately 0.1% of women (including adolescent girls great er than or equal to 13 years of age) were infected, including approxim ately 0.6% of non-Hispanic black women. Approximately half of all infe cted persons were men who had sex with men, and one fourth were inject ing drug users. The prevalence of HIV infection increased from 1984 to 1992, with a greater relative increase among women than men. Conclusi ons.-The 3 different data sources and methods are consistent in estima ting that 650 000 to 900 000 persons were infected with HIV in the Uni ted States in 1992. Among adolescents and adults of both sexes, the pr oportion infected was substantially higher among non-Hispanic blacks a nd Hispanics than among non-Hispanic whites, HIV-related illness will be a major clinical and public health problem in the United States for years to come.