Resumen
Background: According to the UNAIDS report of 2016, adult HIV prevalence in Argentina is 0.4% and remain stable in last dedade. This information comes from the estimation of HIV cases reported to the Ministry of Health in relation to the total country population. Therefore a study of 5 consecutive years on the HIV prevalence in general population was carried out. Methods: Between January 2, 2013 and December 30, 2017, HIV antibody determinations through a previously validated rapid test (Alere Determine? HIV-1/2) were performed in individuals from different provinces of Argentina, which together represent more than 60% of the total country population. Testing was carried out in public places, where people voluntarily approached to be tested. Counselling was given to all individuals and for positive cases established the appropriate referral. The information was collected in an Ad Hoc database, and descriptive statistics, T-test, Chi2, Fisher exact or Mid P tests were used as appropriate. Results: Determinations were made in 118078 individuals. Age range: 18 months to over 49 years, but 99% were older than 15 years. Gender distribution: women 54.1%, men 45.2%, transgender 0.7%. There were 1035 HIV positive results. Prevalence: 0.88% (95%CI: 0.82-0.93). It was the first HIV test for 58.1%, and prevalence in subjects tested for the first time was higher than in those previously tested (0.93% vs. 0.79%, p= 0.006). Although the prevalence was significantly higher in men than in women (1.19% versus 0.56%, p < 0.001), the highest level was observed in transgender (4.86%, p < 0.001). Regarding annual prevalences, they remained stable between 2013 and 2016 (1.00%, 1.08%, 0.99%, and 0.91%, respectively), and dropped significantly in 2017 (0.67%, p < 0.05). Conclusions: This was the largest study on HIV prevalence ever made in our country. Prevalence observed in the general population was twice as high as that reported for the adult population of Argentina by UNAIDS from 2013 to 2016, and remained higher although dropped significantly in 2017. This large-scale study shows that it is necessary to update the estimates of the population living with HIV for Argentina.