Epidemiological surveillance of HIV/Aids infections in Navarra between 1985 and 2002

Abstract

In the year 1985, the first cases of Aids were diagnosed in Navarra. Since then and until December 2002, according to the notifications received, 2,329 persons with HIV have been counted, of whom 1,538 were from Navarra and 791 temporary residents in this autonomous community. In recent years, the incidence of new diagnoses of HIV infection and cases of Aids has shown a clear tendency to fall in Navarra. The decrease in cases has been very important amongst the users of intravenous drugs, while the cases amongst homo/bisexuals and cases related to heterosexual transmission have remained fairly stable. In the 1999-2002 period, the cases of infection through a sexual relationship have been more numerous than the cases registered in users of intravenous drugs. The proportion of cases in persons originating from countries with a high endemicity is increasing, coming to represent about 25% of the new cases of infection in the 2000-2002 period. The follow up of the 1,538 HIV patients of Navarra has shown that, at the end of 2002, death had occurred in 39.5% of cases, and it was possible to confirm that 55% were still alive. With regard to their relation to the health services, it has been found that of the 847 patients who are still living, the great majority (80%) are being attended to by the Infectious Services of the Hospital of Navarre and another 9.4% in the Internal Medicine Services of the Garcia Orcoyen and Reina Sofia Hospitals.