Lincolnshire is facing a significant increase in late HIV diagnosis rates, prompting health officials to call for increased testing, particularly among at-risk groups.

The COVID pandemic, coupled with issues around awareness, has led to a decline in HIV testing, with Lincolnshire's figures falling below national averages.

The latest figures reveal a concerning picture: HIV testing coverage in Lincolnshire for 2022 was just 25.9%, markedly lower than the national figure of 48.2%.

Late diagnosis can lead to poorer health outcomes and increased transmission risk. The rate of late HIV diagnosis in the area is 55.2%, higher than the England average of 43.3%.

Tony McGinty, a consultant in public health for Lincolnshire County Council, provided further context: "In 2021, 21 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in Lincolnshire.

"This rate, 2.7 per 100,000 people, is significantly below the national average, but includes individuals previously diagnosed abroad."

He emphasised the importance of HIV testing in managing the infection, noting a decrease in testing coverage in 2021 to 27.5%, primarily due to the impact of COVID-19.

He adds: "561 residents were assessed for PrEP need, indicating a lower proportion in the local population. Of those eligible, over half started or continued with PrEP."

"Within an overall good picture of sexual health, there are areas where we should be doing better," said Tony.

He explained that the relatively low rates of certain infections can lead to a perception of Lincolnshire as a low-risk area, influencing people's decision to get tested or vaccinated.

"HIV testing coverage rates are dependent on people in at risk groups attending sexual health services, either for routine 'sexual health checks' to help them manage their risks, or because they believe they may have a STI, when our services will encourage HIV testing alongside testing for more common infections."

He added that HIV prevalence was 12 times lower than the highest England rates.

"Awareness of the treatment options and prognosis for people diagnosed with HIV (especially when diagnosed early) plays a role in some people's decision on 'wanting to know' or not.

"In areas like ours, people's awareness of treatment options, the relative simplicity of managing life with HIV and ever improving prognosis, is likely to be lower than in areas where HIV is more common and there are stronger community links between people at highest risk."

He added that often those most at risk were in marginalised groups who struggled to access routine healthcare, such as drug users.

Julie Frake-Harris, Chief Operating Officer at LCHS, also shed light on the efforts to tackle the issue.

"The Lincolnshire Integrated Sexual Health Service is actively supporting increased screening within primary and secondary care to reduce late HIV diagnosis," she mentions.

In response to these challenges, Lincolnshire's Integrated Sexual Health and Sexual Health Outreach and HIV prevention services are working to provide crucial access to HIV testing, treatment, and support.

Clinics operate in Boston, Grantham, Lincoln, Skegness, Gainsborough, and Louth, targeting marginalised groups and facilitating point-of-care testing.

Frake-Harris further noted the service's proactive measures: "The Lincolnshire Integrated Sexual Health Service supports increased screening within primary and secondary care, to reduce the incidence of late HIV diagnosis. 

"The service offers screening for STIs, including HIV, in clinics across Lincolnshire and through postal kits for some STIs to Lincolnshire residents. These can be requested through our website or by calling into one of our local clinics.

"All patients attending our services for STI screening are offered blood tests for HIV and syphilis as part of standard testing, and we are planning to introduce postal screening for these diseases."

Despite the challenges with HIV, the overall sexual health of Lincolnshire's population is relatively positive.

As Tony McGinty highlighted: "Overall, people in Lincolnshire enjoy better sexual health than the average English population."

For more information visit Lincolnshire Sexual Health (LiSH).