Characteristics and trends of newly diagnosed HIV-infections, 2000-2004.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the characteristics and trends of newly diagnosed HIV-infections.


METHODS
We analysed all newly diagnosed HIV-infections among residents of the Canary Islands, Ceuta, La Rioja, Navarre and the Basque Country (Spain) between 2000 and 2004.


RESULTS
In total, 1,807 HIV-infections -74.4 per million inhabitants, per year- were diagnosed. The heterosexual transmission category was the most frequent (48.6%), followed by that of homo/bisexual men (23.0%) and injecting drug users (IDU) (22.5%). From 2000 to 2004, the rate of new diagnoses of HIV infection decreased by 29.8% (p < 0.0001). The rate of diagnoses of infections acquired by IDU diminished by 58.5% (p < 0.0001), and the rate of infections associated with homo/bisexual practices in men descended by 33.9% (p = 0.0318). Nevertheless, the rate of diagnoses of infections by heterosexual transmission has not undergone significant changes. In the period 2002-2004, 28.7% of cases were diagnosed in foreigners, but the rate of diagnoses in the population of non-Spanish origin diminished by 24% (p = 0.0534). 39.7% of HIV diagnoses were delayed (with CD4 < 200 cells/microlitre or coinciding with the diagnosis of AIDS). This situation was less frequent in women (odds ratio = 0.5; p < 0.001) and increased with age amongst people over 30. The proportion of delayed diagnoses reached a maximum in 2001 (47.5%) and then declined until 2004 (38.6%; p = 0.022).


CONCLUSIONS
Although none of the analysed indicators evolved unfavourably, it is important to insist on the prevention of sexual transmission, the early diagnosis of HIV infection, and the need to adapt preventive activities and focus them on people from other countries.
Castilla
Jesús
J
Instituto de Salud Pública de Navarra, Pamplona, España.
Lorenzo
José Manuel
JM
Izquierdo
Ana
A
Lezaun
María Eugenia
ME
López
Irene
I
Moreno-Iribas
Conchi
C
Nuñez
Domingo
D
Perucha
Milagros
M
R'kaina Liesfi
Cleopatra
C
Zulaika
Daniel
D
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology