TRENDS IN HIV EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROCESS IN THE KURSK REGION, 2014-2022
Authors:   Kursk State Medical University, Kursk, Russia, Breusov Aleksei ,   Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russia, Alferova Marina ,   Kursk State Medical University, Kursk, Russia, Pashina Irina ,   Kursk State Medical University, Kursk, Russia, Alferov Denis ,   Kursk State Medical University, Kursk, Russia,   Kursk State Medical University, Kursk, Russia, Lukashov Mikhail ,   Kursk Regional Multidisciplinary Clinical Hospital, Kursk, Russia, Isaenko Tatiana ,   Kursk State Medical University, Kursk, Russia
Published: June 2024

Significance. Despite a favorable situation regarding HIV infection in the Kursk region, analyzing trends in HIV epidemiological process is relevant to prevent deterioration of the epidemiological situation. The knowledge of trends will make it possible to improve HIV prevention, as well as curb the spread of HIV infection. The purpose of the study was to identify trends in HIV epidemiological process in the Kursk region from 2014 to 2022. Material and methods. Data from newsletters of the Center for AIDS Prevention and Control (AIDS Center) of the Kursk Region for 2014-2022 were analyzed. A comparative analysis of the populations tested for HIV infection was carried out, the number of newly diagnosed HIV-seropositive cases and the gender and age structure of HIV-infected people were analyzed in order to develop additional preventive measures aimed at curbing the spread of HIV infection. Methods of descriptive and analytical statistics were used. Significance of differences was assessed at p<0.05. Results. In the Kursk region, the number of people tested for antibodies to HIV infection was on the rise from 228,030 people in 2014 to 360,624 people in 2022, while HIV detection since 2018 has been decreasing from 120.7 to 56.0 per 100,000 patient sera tested in 2022. The overwhelming number of the tested do not belong to HIV risk groups (96.7% in 2022), while the largest group in size among them is the “others” group (35.8% in 2022), which has increased 3-fold in nine years. The number of the tested belonging to HIV risk groups is decreasing, while the detection rate in such groups is eight-fold higher than among individuals not belonging to risk groups. The gender structure of HIV-infected people remains stable with men prevailing (62.9% in 2022). The age structure of newly diagnosed HIV cases is dominated by ages from 30 to 39 (34.7% in 2022), but its share is decreasing and the share of groups aged 40-49 (31.8% in 2022) and 50 years and older is growing (17.6% in 2022). Conclusion. In the Kursk region, the number of people tested for antibodies to HIV infection is constantly growing (by 132,594 people from 2014 to 2022 (41.9%)). The region has seen a decrease in the number of newly diagnosed HIV-seropositive cases since 2018 from 120.7 to 56.0 per 100,000 patient sera tested in 2022. The gender and age structure of HIV-infected persons is dominated by men aged 30-39. For early detection of HIV infection, it is necessary to include ELISA testing in the list of examinations during regular health check-ups and medical examinations of the working-age population.