Binefa G, Rius C, Lugo R, Casabona J; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).

Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. MoPeC3615.

Centre for Epidemiological Studies on AIDS of Catalonia. Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain

Background: The proportion of heterosexual transmission (HTT) has shown an increase more intense in women than in men in most countries. Although in South-western European countries HTT has been mainly driven by injecting drug users (IDU), this pattern of transmission seems to be changing. The objective of this study is to determine trends and characteristics in HIV epidemic related to HTT in Catalonia. Methods: Three data sources were used to analyse partner behaviour of HTT: data on AIDS registry diagnosed from 1996-2002, data on HIV surveillance system during 2001-2002 and data on new heterosexually acquired HIV cases diagnosed from 1998-2002 and obtained from a hospital convenience sample. Results: AIDS registry showed that from 1996 to 2002 HTT has increased among men 110.3% (test for trend=47.6 p<0.001) and among women 65.0% (test for trend=16.6, p<0.001). Among reported HIV cases HTT accounts for 36.4% and 75.8% among men and women respectively (p<0.001) in the 2001-2002 period. During 2001-2002 among HTT, AIDS register showed that, 47.3% of men and 28.2% of women reported "have had sexual intercourse" with a person with multiple sex partners (PMSP); IDU partner was reported by 6.0% of men and 23.5% of women. In reported HIV cases (2001-2002) the proportion who said "have had sexual intercourse" with a PMSP was 39.4% and 27.5% among men and women respectively. 6% of cases among men and 10% among women were linked with an IDU partner. From the third data source, 71.7% of men reported "have had heterosexual intercourse" with a PMSP while among women were 67.9% and with an IDU partner 32.1%. Conclusions: HIV instead of AIDS data should to be used to detect recent changes in HTT. In our setting, new HIV heterosexually acquired cases are not anymore related to IDU. Subpopulations than could maintain HTT should be identify to design and implement new preventive strategies.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Disease Outbreaks
• Disease Transmission, Vertical
• Europe
• Female
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Humans
• Male
• Sexual Partners
• Spain
• transmission

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0035693

UI: 102279909

From Meeting Abstracts