gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: The Ukraine is one of the European countries with the most rapidly increasing number of newly diagnosed HIV cases, mainly transmitted through IDU, but also increasingly through heterosexual contact in the general population and mother-to-child-transmission. The epidemiological monitoring of the development of the epidemic is essential in order to sensitize the public as well as the medical community and to develop effective public health interventions.

Material and Methods: Analysis of the HIV/AIDS registrations from the official register of the Ukrainian AIDS Centre cumulatively until 2000, and annually since then. The Centre provides information about persons who have been tested and diagnosed with HIV and AIDS, includig information on risk populations such as IDU, female sex workers, MSM, vertical infections of children, and prisoners.

Results: The number of officially registered HIV infections increased from 7,000 in 2001 to 16,087 in 2006. In 2006, 7,127 new infections were due to IDU, 5,681 to heterosexual contact and 2,822 to vertical transmission. The number of newly registered AIDS cases increased from 867 in 2001 to 4,723 in 2006. There was a comparable increase in the number of registered AIDS deaths: 473 in 2001 to 2,416 in 2006 (Table 1[Tab. 1]).

Discussion and Conclusions: HIV infections in the Ukraine continue to increase rapidly. There might be some 350,000 Ukrainians living with HIV, presumably more due to underreporting. The epidemic hits the Ukraine at a time when the health system is undergoing radical changes, and serious cuts are made in social security and public services. There are no funds for knowledge building or prevention. The epidemic might also become a threat for other European countries as a result of increasing travel and migration. These countries should in their own interests support effective prevention and intervention measures.