[Epidemiological characteristics of new HIV infections compared with AIDS cases. The HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Basque Country].
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 detected 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.
Zulaika
Daniel
D
Plan del Sida en el País Vasco, Osakidetza-Servicio vasco de salud, San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain. dzulaica@apge.osakidetza.net
Agirrebengoa
Koldo
K
Andía
Ander
A
Arrizabalaga
Julio
J
Bustillo
José María
JM
Cámara
Mari Mar
MM
Corral
Jesús
J
Orive
Mari Carmen
MC
Goikoetxea
Julio
J
Iribarren
José Antonio
JA
López de Munain
Josefina
J
Lorenzo
José Manuel
JM
Martín Gudino
María José
MJ
Martínez
Eduardo
E
Mayo
José
J
Portu
Joseba
J
Rodríguez
Francisco Javier
FJ
Silvariño
Rafael
R
Zubero
Zuriña
Z
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology