In Canada, the number of people living with HIV continues to grow despite significant progress in reducing new HIV infections overall. The increase in the number of people tested for HIV in Manitoba in 2022 indicates a growing awareness and concern about the disease. Recent information indicates that the number of Manitobans who tested positive for HIV increased 30 per cent from 2021 to 2023. A review of the current trends indicates that new population groups are at risk and have been shown to have active spreading of the virus. 

Medical care for people that test positive for HIV is complex and presents major challenges for patients that are diagnosed, especially considering the many other chronic conditions that typically arise over time.

We will create case definitions and apply them to a large set of primary care patients in Canada and Manitoba. We will be able to describe many of the specific factors that impact the medical care of HIV positive patients. We will also be able to support future work to evaluate the complexities and test new models of care.