Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Recent data indicate a year-on-year increase in the proportion of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) cases reported among individuals aged ≥50 in China. This study compares the epidemiological characteristics of HIV/AIDS cases in populations above and below 50 years of age. By doing so, it seeks to scrutinize the current epidemiological landscape of HIV within these distinct age cohorts and suggest tailored interventions for each group. METHODS: We utilized data from the Chinese HIV/AIDS Comprehensive Response Information Management System for our comparative analysis. Joinpoint regression analysis was employed to assess the trends in standardized detection rates. RESULTS: In China, the number of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases in the 15-49 age group increased from 51,436 in 2010 to 55,397 in 2022, while it increased from 11,751 in 2010 to 51,856 in 2022 in the group aged ≥50 years. Recent years have seen a greater proportion and detection rate of HIV/AIDS cases among the ≥50 age demographic compared to the 15-49 age group. In 2022, significant statistical differences were observed between males and females in both age cohorts with respect to education, marital status, occupation, mode of transmission, location of diagnosis, and region. CONCLUSIONS: The observed trend of a rising proportion of HIV/AIDS cases in individuals aged 50 years and older necessitates heightened attention. It is imperative that we develop and implement interventions specifically designed to prevent and control the transmission of HIV within this demographic.