Epidemiological characteristics of new HIV infections compared with AIDS cases. the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Basque Country
Zulaika, D.; Agirrebengoa, K.; AndÃa, A.; Arrizabalaga, J.; Bustillo, J.é M.Ãa.; Cámara, M.M.; Corral, J.ús.; Orive, M.C.; Goikoetxea, J.; Iribarren, J.é A.; López de Munain, J.; Lorenzo, J.é M.; MartÃn Gudino, M.Ãa.J.é; MartÃnez, E.; Mayo, J.é; Portu, J.; RodrÃguez, F.J.; Silvariño, R.; Zubero, Z.ña.
Gaceta Sanitaria 18(2): 145-149
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0213-9111 PMID: 15104976 Document Number: 358022
To describe the epidemiological characteristics of new cases of HIV infection diagnosed from 1997-2001 and compare them with AIDS cases (1991-2001). Data were retrospectively collected on new cases of HIV infection detected in the Basque Country (1997-2001) and were compared with AIDS cases (1991-2001). 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. 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.