HIV infection among seafarers in Croatia.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the magnitude of the HIV problem among seafarers in Croatia. The study is based on data from the AIDS/HIV Registry of the Croatian National Institute of Public Health and data on the number of seafarers in Croatia, from the Croatian Seafarers' Union. All case records of HIV infection among seafarers and the type of their sexual contacts have been analysed retrospectively. During the period between 1985 and the end of October 2009, a total of 784 persons with diagnosed HIV infection were registered, of which 74 were seafarers (9.4%). Only 0.25% of Croatian seafarers are HIV infected. Considering the fact that seafarers are a "bridge" for HIV infection to the population, this article describes the epidemiological characteristics of HIV infection among Croatian seafarers and suggests measures in combating HIV infection in their population.