HIV and AIDS in Poland in 2013.

AIM

The aim is to analyze the epidemiological situation of newly diagnosed HIV infections and AIDS cases in Poland in 2013 and years earlier.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Descriptive analysis of newly detected HIV cases and incident AIDS cases was performed based on routine notifications by clinicians and laboratories. Data on the number of HIV tests were derived from annual survey among laboratories.

RESULTS

In 2013 there were 1,098 HIV cases diagnosed in Poland (detection rate 2.85 per 100,000 population), including 23 among non-Polish citizens. The rate remained at the same level as in 2011, but 14.7% higher than median in 2007-2011. The total number of AIDS cases was 163 (incidence 0.42 per 100,000) and 46 AIDS patients died (0.12 per 100,00). HIV infection is mainly detected among people aged 20 to 39 years (73.3%) and among males (85.6%). Aproximately 68.4% of newly diagnosed infections with known transmission category were acquired by homosexual contacts (MSM). The number of infections in this group decreased by 2.2% compared to previous year. The percentage of late presenters (defined by the time between HIV and AIDS diagnoses of less than 3 months) increased in comparison with year 2012 (8.4% of newly diagnosed HIV infections).

CONCLUSIONS

HIV epidemic continues to develop among MSM in Poland. However, assessment of epidemiological situation is limited by the missing data on the probable transmission route in a large percentage of reported newly detected cases of HIV infection.