Abstract
Background: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a severe threat to public health everywhere, especially in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. The study aimed at the epidemiological analysis of newly diagnosed HIV cases in Kazakhstan (period 2018-2020).
Methods: A descriptive analysis of national data on registered cases of HIV (period 2018-2020) in Kazakhstan was conducted. Demographic information were collected and analysed. Analysis of the influence of age, period, and cohort was performed using Age-Period-Cohort method.
Results: For the period 2018 - 2020, n=1235 HIV cases were registered, and the number of men was higher (68.5%). Sexual transmission during heterosexual contacts was higher in females (88.9%) (p = 0.01). More cases (23.0%) of homosexual contacts were detected among men, p ≥ 0.05. The parenteral route of HIV transmission cases prevailed among men (27.5%), p = 0.001. Intravenous drug administration was more common among males (27.4%), p = 0.01. Also, 68.5% men and 33.2% women had a low therapy adherence. In men, the risk of HIV prevalence increased after 32.5 years (Dv 0.134, 95% CI= -0.096 to 0.364). At the age of 37.5 years, there was a sharp increase (Dv 0.852, 95% CI=0.626 to 1.079) in HIV prevalence. However, no peaks were observed in women.
Conclusion: The study's findings indicated a rise in the prevalence of HIV infection in Kazakhstan. Men aged 37 and older were identified as the risk category. In HIV/AIDS patients, we noted inadequate adherence to treatment. The findings show that tactics for combating HIV infection need to be improved.
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