engleski

HIV/AIDS in Croatia: situation overview

Croatia has 365 reported cases of HIV/AIDS as of end of August 2002. Approximately 26-36 new cases are reported each year. The sex ratio is 3.5:1 in favor of males, with 41.4% heterosexual transmission and 35.6% homosexual transmission, and with the rate of growth favoring heterosexual transmission. The proportion of IVDU in the infected population is low (11.8%), and only 2.2% were due to vertical transmission. Only about 5.4% are unknown as to mode of transmission, indicating fairly good surveillance and investigation of positive cases. There have been 107 deaths registered due to AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic. Currently, 145 patients are receiving HAART. Testing is performed at drug treatment centers (including needle exchange programs), hospitals, HIV testing centers (usually institutes of public health laboratories), and transfusion centers. The total number of HIV tests performed excluding testing of blood donations is about 5 per 1000 inhabitants in 2001. Little is known about the prevalence of HIV among IVDUs, homosexuals and mobile populations such as migrants, sailors, guest workers, and prostitutes. Perception of risk for HIV among young people seems lacking, with condom use mainly associated with birth control. Approximately one-third of all new cases are among MSM, but the majority of these were thought to be domestic, in contrast to cases among heteresexuals which are largely considered imported. Strategies and interventionas in place include the following: 1) HAART is fully covered by National Insurance, 2) reporting of HIV and AIDS is mandatory, 3) NGOs are active, particularly in harm reduction, 4) the methadone program is delivered through primary physicians, 5) an adolescent medicine department attached to the Children&#8217 ; s Hospital in Zagreb essentially works as an NGO, providing advocacy as well as youth friendly services for STI, peer education, counseling, and HIV prevention, 6) blood and blood products have been screened for HIV since 1987, 7) a multisectorial HIV/AIDS prevention commitee has been established and 8) a national HIV/AIDS prevention strategic plan has been developed and updated.

HIV; Croatia

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