Changes in HIV demographic patterns in a low prevalence population: no evidence of a shift towards men who have sex with men

• Main Authors: Fatma Sargin, Dilek Yildiz, Ozlem Altuntas Aydin, Bilgul Mete, Alper Gunduz, Hayat Kumbasar Karaosmanoglu, Mucahit Yemisen, Saadet Yazici, Sibel Bolukcu, Bulent Durdu, Ebubekir Senates, Resat Ozaras, Ilyas Dokmetas, Fehmi Tabak
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2016-07-01
• Series: International Journal of Infectious Diseases
• Subjects: HIV (human immunodeficiency virus); Demographics; MSM (men who have sex with en); Epidemiology
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1201971216310499

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the changes in HIV demographics over time in an exceptionally low prevalence population, with particular emphasis on men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: A total of 1292 newly diagnosed HIV-positive patients registered in the ACTHIV-IST Study Group database between 2000 and 2014 were included. The changes occurring over time in the characteristics of patients at the time of initial admission were examined retrospectively. Results: A gradual increase in the total number of newly diagnosed patients was evident during the study period; however, it was not possible to show an increase in the proportion of MSM within the study population (p = 0.63). There was a male predominance throughout the study (85% vs. 15%), with further increases in the proportion of males in recent years. The mean age was lower at the end of the study (p < 0.05) and there was an increase in the number of unmarried patients (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Sexual preference patterns of HIV patients in extremely low prevalence populations may be different, possibly due to an early phase of the epidemic. Nevertheless, MSM still represent a target subgroup for interventions, since they account for a substantial proportion of cases and a resurgent epidemic may be expected among this group in later phases of the epidemic.