Fatma Sargin1, Dilek Yildiz2, Ozlem Altuntas Aydin3, Bilgul Mete4, Alper Gunduz2, Hayat Kumbasar Karaosmanoglu3, Mucahit Yemisen4, Saadet Yazici5, Sibel Bolukcu6, Bulent Durdu6, Ebubekir Senates7, Resat Ozaras4, Ilyas Dokmetas2, Fehmi Tabak4. 1. Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Goztepe Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: fatmasargin2002@yahoo.com. 2. Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Sisli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. 3. Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. 4. Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. 5. Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Goztepe Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. 6. Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey. 7. Department of Gastroenterology, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Goztepe Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Abstract
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.
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-positivepatients 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.