final program.qxd - Parallels Plesk Panel

OP 6.4
The Epidemiology of HIV & STIs in Slovenia
Irena Klavs, MD, MSc, PhD
Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Introduction
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STI) surveillance
and research is essential for the development of evidence based prevention and control.
Methods
HIV and STI surveillance in Slovenia is based on (1) universal cases reporting; (2)
monitoring changes in HIV infection prevalence (among men who have sex with men
(MSM), injecting drug users (IDU), patients of clinics for sexually transmitted infections
(STI), and pregnant women); and (3) behavioural surveillance among MSM and IDU). This
information is complemented by special studies on STI and sexual behaviour.
Results
During the last 5 years, annual reported incidence rates varied for HIV infection from 6.5
to 17.5 per million population (17.5 in 2005), for newly diagnosed early syphilis from 0.2
to 1.5 per 100000 (1.5 in 2005), for gonorrhoea from 2.3 to 2.9 per 100000 (2.3 in 2005),
and for chlamydia from 7.6 to 11.5 per 100000 population (11.5 in 2005). From 2000 to
2004 the national annual HIV prevalence estimates for IDU varied from 0% to 0.8% and
for MSM from 0% to 3.5%. In 2003, HIV prevalence among STD patients was 0.2% and
among pregnant women 0%. The proportion of IDU reporting sharing needles and
syringes at first treatment demand has decreased from 42% in 2000 to 27% in 2003. The
proportion of MSM who reported to have never used a condom at anal sex during the
preceding year doubled in 2002 and 2003 in comparison to 2000. In the first national
general population probability sample survey, chlamydial infection was diagnosed in 3.0%
of men and 1.6% of women. Prevalence was highest in men and women aged 18-24 years
(4.1% for both).
Conclusions
Slovenia remains a country with a low level HIV epidemic. The most affected group are
MSM. Reported STI rates underestimate the burden of infection. A relatively high
prevalence of genital chlamydial infection among 18-24 year old Slovenians, in contrast
with relatively low-risk sexual behaviour and low reported incidence rates of chlamydia
infection, suggest that there may be serious gaps in diagnosing and treating the condition.
Monitoring selected high-risk behaviour indicators in groups at higher behavioural risk for
HIV and STI should be strengthened with targeted behavioural surveillance surveys with
integrated biological indicators in these groups.
“ Focusing FIRST on PEOPLE “ 58 w w w . i s h e i d . c o m