Dr Anna Pierce1,2,3, Mr Philip Rawson-Harris1,3, Ms Wajeeha Fatima3, Ms Elizabeth Griffin4, Dr Melanie Bissessor4, Dr Sushena Krishnaswamy2,3, Professor Jennifer Hoy2,3
1Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia, 2Department of Infectious Diseases, Monash Health, Clatyon, Australia, 3Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, 4Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Melbourne, Australia
Biography:
Anna Pierce is an infectious diseases physician with an interest in blood borne viruses, sexually transmitted infections and public health. She works with the Victorian HIV service at The Alfred Hospital and helped establish the Victorian NPEP Service, an HIV prevention program that provides post exposure prophylaxis for men at high risk of acquiring HIV. She has also helped develop The Alfred's HIV comorbidity management algorithms. Her current interest is the management of women ageing with HIV, in particular menopause and its impact on comorbidity management.
Abstract:
Background:
Data on women ageing with HIV in Australia are limited, particularly regarding those experiencing menopause. The aim of this study is to describe the characteristics of women living with HIV who attend three clinic sites for primary HIV care.
Methods:
Cisgender women currently in care were identified and a medical record review was conducted to identify demographic information, menopausal status, menopausal symptoms, use of MHT and documentation of related co-morbidity screening results.
Results:
462 women were identified. Median age was 47 (range 20-85, IQR 39-56) and the majority (70%) were born overseas. Menopausal status was unable to be determined for 122(26%). Menopausal symptoms were recorded for 70 women and 24 women were documented to be on MHT. Cervical screening was completed in the last 3 years for 298(65%) and 58(30%) over 50 had documentation of a mammogram in the last 2 years.
Conclusion:
Approximately half the women in this study were aged 40-56, yet menopausal status was unable to be determined for over a quarter. Documentation of menstrual or menopausal symptoms was poor and significant gaps were identified in comorbidity screening. Further research is needed to understand the impact of menopause on women living with HIV in Australia.