[HIV in Western Denmark. Demographic data from a population-based cohort study].

INTRODUCTION

The course of HIV infection has changed since the introduction of highly active anti-retroviral treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We present demographic data from an observational database on HIV and AIDS in the Western part of Denmark, a region representing 2,935,156 individuals, or 55.1% of the population in Denmark (1 January 2000). Five centres in the region treat HIV positive adults; all patients attached to these centres since 1995 are included. Altogether 749 adult HIV-infected individuals were enrolled as of 31 December 1999. Estimates of the prevalence and incidence of HIV infection in the area were 25.8/100,000 and 2.6/100,000 respectively, which are lower than the average for the country.

RESULTS

The number of newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients remained constant in the period 1995-1999 with an average of 62 diagnoses per year. The number of HIV-related deaths declined from 43 in 1995 to 15 in 1999.

DISCUSSION

There seems to be a shift in the HIV epidemic over the last few years, with a higher proportion of newly diagnosed HIV-patients who have contracted the infection through heterosexual contact, and a higher proportion who are immigrants from less developed countries.