Background and objectives: Despite the decline in new HIV infection across the United States, Mississippi is still experiencing high rates of new HIV infections. Reports highlighted significant variations by geographical locations and socio-demographic factors. This study examined trends of HIV/AIDS incidence rates in Mississippi from 2008 to 2019.

Materials and methods: Data on HIV/AIDS diagnosis were extracted from Mississippi Enhanced HIV/AIDS Reporting System database. Data were cleaned and de-identified using Microsoft Excel and SAS 9.4. Overall and annual age-adjusted HIV and AIDS incidence rates were calculated by sex, race, and age using 2000 US population. Annual Percentage Change (APC) and Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) were analyzed using Joinpoint regression models.

Results: Overall, HIV incidence rate declined from 25.0 in 2008 to 18.79 per 100,000 population in 2019 (24.8% decrease) while AIDS incidence increased from 6.4 in 2008 to 8.2 per 100,000 population in 2019 (28.1% increase). Comparison between sexes of all age groups showed a downward trend of new HIV infection (AAPC: Male:-1.50, Female:-5.17) and an upward trend of AIDS incidence (AAPC: Male: 1.90, Female: 3.70). Age adjusted HIV incidence declined by 26.8% and 12.4% among blacks and whites respectively (AAPC: Blacks: -2.8, Whites:-1.0) but there was no significant change in age-adjusted AIDS incidence among both races from 2008-2019.

Conclusion: This study indicated that age-adjusted HIV incidence rate is declining in Mississippi but trends differ by race, gender, and age. More interventions aimed at ensuring early diagnosis, proper linkage to care and preventing the progression of HIV to AIDS particularly among at-risk population are needed in Mississippi.

IMC J Med Sci. 2023; 17(2):002. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55010/imcjms.17.012

*Correspondence: Adetoun F. Asala, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, 350 W Woodrow Wilson Dr, Jackson, MS 39213. Email: [email protected]