Epidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in Lebanon from 1984 through 1998

Abstract

Objective: To identify the epidemiologic characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Lebanon during the period between January 1, 1984, and December 31, 1998. Materials and Methods: This report presents a descriptive analysis of HIV and AIDS surveillance data. The subjects of this study were all notified HIV and AIDS cases in Lebanon reported to the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit of the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Ministry of Public Health in Lebanon. Results: The HIV epidemic started in Lebanon in 1984 with the first diagnosed AIDS cases. The number of cases slowly but steadily increased, to reach, by 1998, 529 cases, of which 147 were AIDS cases. The average age of infected persons was 31 years, with a ratio of men to women close to 3.6:1. The most frequent mode of transmission is sexual (71.9% of all cases; heterosexual, 53.9% of all cases), which consequently increases the perinatal transmission of the disease (4.3% of all declared cases). Data on high-risk groups (intravenous drug users, homosexuals, prostitutes, and prisoners) are incomplete, although the problem does exist. The safety of blood products is relatively well controlled in the country. No new cases of HIV infections through blood transfused in Lebanon have been reported since 1993 (8.5% of all cases). Conclusion: The continuously increasing number of HIV and AIDS cases shows an urgent need for targeted interventions in the general population to stop any further spread of HIV infections in the years to come.