Epidemiological Situation in the Sverdlovsk Area

In the Sverdlovsk area the HIV epidemic is regarded as extremely critical. As of January 2005 of this year, a total of 27,839 cases of HIV infection were officially registered. This makes the overall rate* of infection 636.3 cases. This exceeds the overall national average by 2.6 times. Of the 5 regions in the Russian Federation, the Sverdlovsk area has the 2nd highest number of people living with HIV. During the first 5 months of 2006, a total of 1,481 new HIV-infected cases were reported and by July 1, 2006 a total of 28,029 cases had been registered.
New HIV cases are registered when diagnosed in Sverdlovsk area. An excess of the national average of HIV infections are being observed in 21 municipalities of this region. An extremely high rate of HIV-infection (more than 1%) is noted in 9 municipalities:

  • Working settlement Greater Dubrovo – 1522.6
  • Kirovgrad – 1488.5
  • Severouralsk – 1298.95
  • Pervouralsk – 1190.6
  • Polevskoj – 1185.1
  • Greater Pyshma – 1168.9
  • Greater Tagil – 1156.6
  • Reftinsky Settlement – 1107.4
  • Suholozhsky Area  – 1051.8

All social and age groups of the population are involved in the HIV epidemic; however, the greatest level of HIV-infection is seen in intravenous drug users. The rate of infection in this group is registered at 5005.5.
Another group with a very high rate of infection is people who are currently imprisoned for various offenses. The infection rate among this group is 1865.1. Due to increased rates of infection among social workers who work with these groups, a special alarm has been sounded.
The greatest burden of the HIV epidemic has fallen on the young and able-bodied. Almost two thirds of all HIV-infected persons between the ages of 20-29 and almost one third of all cases are people ages 15-18 years.
In April, 2006 the leading cause the spread of HIV-infection in the Sverdlovsk area was still the intravenous use of drugs – 71 %. However, during the past 4 years a sharp increase of transmission by sexual activity has been noted. The percentage of cases attributed to sexual transmission have grown from 8.4% in 2001 to 33.23% in 2005. Because more women are becoming infected, this has led to an increase of the number of HIV infected babies born to these women.
At the present time, 783 HIV-infected cases have progressed to full-blown AIDS. This includes 88 children. Another 403 cases (including 96 children) remain only “HIV infected” and are receiving constant antiretroviral preparations. During the month of May 2006 antiretroviral therapy was ordered for 34 new HIV-infected cases, including for 11 children. The period of observation was from the first of the year to May 1, 2006.