AEGiS-14IAC: HIV epidemiology in East Asia: Is this region really at low risk?

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

HIV epidemiology in East Asia: Is this region really at low risk?

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. C10706)

Kuo WH
State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, United States

BACKGROUND: With around 1 million people infected with HIV and the prevalence rate estimate of 0.1% in adult population, East Asia has a relatively low HIV problems compared to other regions of the world, including the nearby Southeast Asia region.

METHOD: Using MedLine search and official HIV/AIDS statistics from China, Japan, Korea (North and South), Taiwan, and Hong Kong, we will review the current HIV epidemics in this region. We will also review prevention strategies adopted in these countries.

RESULTS: Most of HIV infections in this region are transmitted through sexual contact, both heterosexual and homosexual. However, transmission in some area of China is more complicated, with epidemics among injection drug users in Southwest China and transfusion of contaminated blood in Central area. Very little information is available from North Korea.

CONCLUSION: Even new HIV infection remained relatively low in the past two years, there is a minor trend of increase in incidence. Government policy should emphasize more on prevention of other STD's.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV Infections, Prevalence, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Incidence, HIV Seropositivity, Far East, Disease Outbreaks, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Asia, Southeastern, Korea, Taiwan, Adult, epidemiology

020707
C10706