Improved ascertainment of modes of HIV transmission in Ukraine indicates importance of drug injecting and homosexual risk.

ABSTRACT:

Background

It is important to understand how HIV infection is transmitted in the population in order to guide prevention activities and properly allocate limited resources. In Ukraine and other countries where injecting drug use and homosexuality are stigmatized, the information about mode of transmission in case registration systems is often biased.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey in a random sample of patients registered at HIV clinics in seven regions of Ukraine in 2013-2015. The survey assessed behavioral risk factors and serological markers of viral hepatitis B and C. We analyzed the discrepancies between the registered mode of transmission and the survey data, and evaluated trends over 3 years.

Results

Of 2285 participants, 1032 (45.2%) were female

SUBMITTER: Dumchev K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7449084 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature