(P142) Impact of HIV on the Latinx Community in San Antonio

Background:

The San Antonio AIDS Foundation (SAAF) was the first to offer free HIV testing in local bars in the 1980s. Through intense education, outreach, and prevention efforts fewer white men who have sex with men have received new HIV diagnoses. However, communities of color continue to experience a disproportionate number of new infections.

Methods:

SAAF provides HIV testing through both rapid finger stick screening and venipuncture testing, using the INSTI® Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody test. SAAF tests six days per week on/off-site. Clients, who are predominantly Latinx are asked questions during the testing session, to help the testing specialist gather information about their sexual health. We offer risk reduction strategies and healthy options to consider in the testing sessions, as well. Clients are asked to complete a post survey, in order to gather information on their experience during the session.

Results:

SAAF performs from 4000-6000 tests yearly, with a positivity rate of 0.8%-1.2%. The proportion of MSM being tested (34%-40%) and women (30%-40%) has not varied substantially since 2012.



In 2012, Latinx individuals accounted for 63% of the total population in Bexar County, but only 56% of those tested at SAAF. Black San Antonians were 6% of the population in 2012 but 15% of those tested. These increased to 64% and 19%, respectively, in 2021.



Women accounted for 18% percent of new diagnoses at SAAF in 2021, up from 3% in 2012, with the rate of positivity increasing 10 times. Rather than decreasing, Latinx continue to make up a similar proportion of positive diagnoses (63%-66%). Diagnoses in the Black community have increased from 5.8% in 2012 to 16% in 2022.

Conclusions:

The increase in diagnoses in the Black community and the lack of decrease in the Latinx community are concerning. While we continue to focus on MSM, we must assure that we are doing culturally competent outreach in the Black and Latinx communities. The increase in women diagnosed is similarly problematic, as most efforts focus on men. SAAF is working to expand outreach in the Latina population. These results are specific to testing at SAAF, and not intended to be reflective of all San Antonio.