Abstract

ZULAIKA, Daniel et al. Epidemiological characteristics of new HIV infections compared with AIDS cases: The HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Basque Country [Spain]. Gac Sanit [online]. 2004, vol.18, n.2, pp.145-149. ISSN 0213-9111.

Objective: To describe the epidemiological characteristics of new cases of HIV infection diagnosed from 1997-2001 and compare them with AIDS cases (1991-2001). Methods: Data were retrospectively collected on new cases of HIV infection detectad in the Basque Country (1997-2001) and were compared with AIDS cases (1991-2001). Results: A total of 912 new cases of HIV infection were diagnosed. In 299 of the new cases (32.8%), HIV and AIDS were diagnosed simultaneously. The most common mechanism of transmission was heterosexual transmission, followed by intravenous and homo/bisexual transmission. Significant epidemiological differences (p<0.001) were found with regard to AIDS cases. Conclusions: Sexual transmission has replaced intravenous drug use as the most common mechanism of HIV transmission. A large percentage of patients were simultaneously diagnosed with HIV and AIDS, indicating the need for new prevention strategies.

Keywords : Epidemiology; Surveillance; HIV infections; AIDS; Basque Country.

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