OBJECTIVE: To study the natural history of HIV infections among intravenous drug users. METHODS: Six hundred and twenty five HIV infected people in Ruili, Yunnan province were observed. Retrospective data was analysed combined with a cross - sectional survey. RESULTS: The number of death was 190 among 625 HIV - positive people. The cumulative death rate among HIV infected persons was 76.9 per 1,000 person - year, and the AIDS related death rate was 19.8 per 1,000 person - year. The median survival period of HIV infected persons was 9 years, and the median incubation period was about 8 years. CONCLUSION: Of HIV infected people in Ruili, the median survival and incubation period were shorter compared with those in the United States and Western Europe.
OBJECTIVE: To study the natural history of HIV infections among intravenous drug users. METHODS: Six hundred and twenty five HIV infected people in Ruili, Yunnan province were observed. Retrospective data was analysed combined with a cross - sectional survey. RESULTS: The number of death was 190 among 625 HIV - positive people. The cumulative death rate among HIV infectedpersons was 76.9 per 1,000 person - year, and the AIDS related death rate was 19.8 per 1,000 person - year. The median survival period of HIV infectedpersons was 9 years, and the median incubation period was about 8 years. CONCLUSION: Of HIV infected people in Ruili, the median survival and incubation period were shorter compared with those in the United States and Western Europe.