Changes of incidence rate of HIV infection and distribution of HIV infection among key populations in Kaunas region 2012-2017

Aim: to determine the changes of incidence rate of HIV infection and compare its distribution among key populations in Kaunas region between 2012 and 2017 Objectives: 1. To assess the changes of incidence rate of HIV infection in 2012-2017. 2. To compare the incidence rate of HIV infection among different risk groups in Kaunas region 2012-2017. 3. To compare the incidence rate of HIV infection among risk groups in each year. Methodology: we retrospectively analyzed 136 cases of newly diagnosed HIV infection in Kaunas region. All 136 cases of new infections were involved into the study. The data was take from form No.151-9/a approved by the minister of health. We analyzed social and demographic data and epidemiological data which included the possible transmission route, number of sexual partners in last 12 months, condom use, belonging to key population, working as a sex worker, intravenous drug users, frequent travels, working as a sailor, being in a jail, men who have sex with men. Results: we analyzed 136 cases. There were 104 men (76.5%) and 32 women (23.5%). The highest incidence rate of HIV was observed in 2013, there were 29 cases per year, 4.9/100 000, the lowest incidence rate was observed in 2017, there were only 14 cases, 2.5/100 000. The majority of the cases belonged to 25-44 years age group (65.7%). There was no significant difference between gender and age group (p>0,05). The most of the cases belong to men who have sex with men (22.1%) and people who inject drugs (21.3%). Men who have sex with men were the main key population in 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2017, however people who inject drugs were majority of cases in 2013 and 2015. The main route of transmission was sexual transmission – 46.3%. Conclusions: 1. There were 136 new HIV cases in Kaunas region in 2012-2017. The highest incidence rate was 29 new cases, 4.9/100 000 in 2013, the lowest was 14 cases, 2.5/100 000 in 2017. There were significantly more men infected with virus than women. The majority of the cases belonged to 25-44 years age group (65.7%). 2. Every third person in 2012-2017 did not belong to any key population. The main key populations were men who have sex with men (22.1%) and people who inject drugs (21.3%). The main transmission route was sexual transmission. 3. 4 years out of 2012-2017 (2012, 2014, 2016, 2017) the main key population was people who inject drugs. In 2013 and 2015 it was men who have sex with men as the main group