Assessment of Increase in Perinatal Exposure to HIV Among Hispanics — 20 Counties, Georgia, 1994–2002

CDC recently received reports from clinicians in a specialized pediatric human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care clinic (clinic A) suggesting that the number of perinatally HIV-exposed Hispanic infants in the Atlanta metropolitan area had increased disproportionately to the growth of Hispanics in the area's population. To assess this increase and characterize trends in perinatal HIV exposure in this population, CDC collaborated with health-care providers at clinic A, which serves residents in 20 Georgia counties, including the Atlanta metropolitan area. This report summarizes the results of that assessment, which suggest that the increase in the number of perinatally HIV-exposed Hispanic infants was associated with multiple factors, including the growth of the Hispanic population, increasing HIV prevalence and fertility among Hispanics, and lower preconception awareness of HIV serostatus among those with HIV. The findings suggest a need for improved access to voluntary HIV counseling and testing and increased opportunities for reducing the risk for unintended pregnancy among Hispanics in these counties.