Defining the rural HIV epidemic: correlations of 3 definitions--South Carolina, 2005-2011.

Purpose: To gain a better understanding of the HIV epidemic in rural South Carolina (SC) by contrasting 3 definitions of rural and urban areas.

Methods: The sample included newly diagnosed HIV cases aged ≥18 years in SC between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2011. Each individual was assigned a rural or urban status as defined by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Census Bureau (CB), and Rural Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) classifications.