Multifactoriality of HIV morbidity dynamics among females in the Republic of Tatarstan

Aim. To analyze the morbidity structure of infection caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-infection) in women in the Republic of Tatarstan during the period from 1996 to 2016.

Methods. We conducted a retrospective epidemiological analysis of HIV-infection morbidity in women in the Republic of Tatarstan during the period from 1996 to 2016 with the evaluation of morbidity structure by age, transmission routes, social and family status. Statistical and graphic-analytical methods were used. Extensive morbidity rates of HIV-infection in women (18 years and older) were calculated.

Results. In the Republic of Tatarstan during the period from 1996 to 2016 HIV-infection was diagnosed in 6815 women with increasing incidence from 0.1 to 30.2 cases per 100 000 women. The increase of the proportion of women older than 30 years in the morbidity structure was observed during this period. Comparative analysis of the parameters from 2001 and 2016 revealed a statistically significant increase of the proportion of married women from 37.5±2.5 to 46.2±2.2% (p <0.01), and of employed women as well from 24.5±2.2 до 36.9±2.1% (p <0.001). By 2002 most of newly detected infection cases were observed among women consuming injection drugs, however since 2000 the increase of sexual transmission has been observed. During the period from 1996 to 2016 61.7% of HIV-positive women were infected through sexual contact.

Conclusion. During the evaluated period of epidemic most HIV-infected women were diagnosed at the age of 20 to 39 (79%), sexual transmission route was prevalent (61.7%); a shift of incidence to higher age groups and socio-adapted groups and the increase of importance of sexual transmission of HIV were observed, that is a reflection of the generalization of HIV epidemic in the region.