Volume : 3, Issue : 5, May - 2014

Hiv Infection Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Albania, 1993–2013

Marjeta Dervishi

Abstract :

Background: Albania is still a low HIV prevalence country. As of December 2013, a total of 699 cases of HIV cases have been reported, with 124 new cases identified that year. Recent reports on the growing HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Europe were accompanied by an increase of reported HIV among MSM in Albania, which is evident in the last years.Methods:The data were collected from the Albanian Surveillance System for HIV/AIDS and from different studies conducted in Albania. Cases were described by age, place of infection, clinical presentation of HIV infection, STI co–infection and source partner. We used simple linear regression to estimate trends over time.Results:During the study period, 79 MSM, aged from 17 to 73 years, were newly diagnosed with HIV. No significant trends over time in overall median age (37.0 years old) were observed. In the years 1993–2007, 1 to 3 MSM were diagnosed with HIV each year, while in the years 2008–2013 this increased to average number 9 cases per year. HIV–syphilis co–infection was reported in 20 (25.3 %) cases. Conclusions: HIV cases among MSM reported per year are increasing. Biological and Behaviors Survellance Surveys (Bio–BSS) that have been conducted revealed that the current prevalence of HIV in MSM is higher than the general population. The increase in STI co–infections indicates risky sexual behaviors and a potential to spread both HIV and other sexually transmitted infections so HIV prevention strategies should be targeted on this vulnerable group. Further studies are needed to better understand the epidemiology of HIV/STI co–infection in MSM