Prevalence, Trends, and Associated Factors of HIV, Syphilis, and Anti-Hepatitis C Virus Seropositivity Among Attendees at Voluntary Counseling and Testing Clinics in Zhejiang Province, China, From 2022 to 2024: Retrospective Quantitative Study.

Authors

Jinlei Zheng, Lin Chen, Lin He, Tingting Jiang, Hui Wang, Wanjun Chen, Yapin Yao

Published in

JMIR public health and surveillance. Volume 12. Pages e96584. Sep 29, 2026. Epub Sep 29, 2026.

Abstract

In the postpandemic era, trends in HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, as well as the prevalence of coinfections among high-risk groups, may have shifted; however, relevant empirical studies are limited.
This study aimed to assess the seropositivity rates and coinfection rates for HIV, syphilis, and anti-HCV; and to explore the correlates of HIV, syphilis, and anti-HCV positivity among voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) clients at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-affiliated clinics in Zhejiang Province from 2022 to 2024.
This retrospective study analyzed routine data extracted in January 2025 from the National HIV Information Prevention and Control System. The Cochran-Armitage trend chi-square test was used to analyze trends in positivity rates over the years. Logistic regression was used to identify relevant indicators for positivity for HIV, syphilis, and anti-HCV in 2024.
The HIV positivity rates decreased from 2.462% (743/30,182) in 2022 to 1.664% (681/40,916) in 2024 (χ²₁ for trend =53.6; P<.001). The syphilis positivity rates were 1.378% (414/30,049), 1.502% (675/44,951), and 1.62% (647/39,929) in 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively (χ²₁ for trend=6.8; P=.03). The anti-HCV positivity rates were 0.309% (77/24,950), 0.387% (161/41,593), and 0.504% (192/38,098) in 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively (χ²₁ for trend=14.8; P<.001). In 2024, the positivity rates for dual HIV-anti-HCV coinfection, dual HIV-syphilis coinfection, and triple HIV-syphilis-anti-HCV coinfection were 0.011%, 0.203%, and 0.005%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥35 years and HIV testing history were associated with HIV, syphilis, and anti-HCV positivity; compared with proactive consultation, outreach consultation was associated with lower odds of HIV positivity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.096, 95% CI 0.060-0.153), but higher odds of syphilis positivity (aOR 1.241, 95% CI 1.033-1.491) and anti-HCV positivity (aOR 2.837, 95% CI 1.882-4.276); compared with consulting for casual heterosexual behavior, consulting for homosexual behavior was associated with higher odds of HIV positivity (aOR 1.909, 95% CI 1.514-2.408) and lower odds of anti-HCV positivity (aOR 0.031, 95% CI 0.011-0.082).
From 2022 to 2024 in Zhejiang Province, the HIV and anti-HCV positivity rates among VCT clients at CDC-affiliated clinics declined, while the syphilis positivity rates increased. The coinfection positivity rates for these 3 infections remained at low levels. Individuals reporting homosexual behavior constituted a high-risk group for HIV positivity yet exhibited a lower positivity rate for anti-HCV. Among CDC-affiliated VCT clients, older age, lower educational attainment, and prior HIV testing history were associated with higher infection positivity rates, suggesting that these characteristics might help refine targeting of VCT and prevention efforts within this setting.

PMID:
42809849
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 30 Sep 2026.

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