HIV infections and AIDS in Poland in 2020

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to assess the epidemiological situation of newly diagnosed HIV infections and AIDS cases and death among AIDS cases in Poland in 2020 in comparison to the changes in preceding years.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Analysis of the epidemiological situation was based on reports of newly detected HIV cases and AIDS cases received from doctors and laboratories and the results of the annual survey of HIV testing conducted among the laboratories throughout the country. A dataset on clients from anonymous Voluntary Testing and Counselling (VCT) network was also used. The activities of the VCT are coordinated by the National AIDS Center, which anonymously collects epidemiological and behavior data on people who come for testing.

RESULTS

In 2020 there were 934 HIV cases newly diagnosed in Poland (diagnosis rate 2.44 per 100,000), including 100 among non-Polish citizens. The number of newly detected HIV infections decreased by 39.9% compared to the previous year and was lower by 26.9% compared to the median in 2014-2018 years. Similarly, among VCT clients, number of HIV diagnoses decreased by 42%, from 536 in 2019 to 308 in 2020 year, what was connected with 44% decreased in number of HIV tests. The total number of AIDS cases was 50 (incidence 0.13 per 100,000). The HIV infection was most often detected in the age group between 30 and 39 (35.7%) and among men (83.5%). Among cases with known transmission route, 68.5% concerned among men who had sexual contact with men (MSM). The percentage of AIDS cases diagnosed at the same time with HIV diagnosis decreased by almost 14 percent points in comparison to 2019 (from 75.8% to 62% of all incident AIDS cases).

CONCLUSION

In 2020, the number of newly detected HIV infections decreased compared to the previous year, however, this is not only due to a decrease in the number of infections, but rather to a lack of continuity in the diagnostic and reporting system during the COVID-19 pandemic, as indicated by a smaller number of tests and greater delays in data reporting. Due to the chronic course of HIV infection, a full assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will be possible in the future.

Changes in HIV testing trends in Poland during COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION

At the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, due to lockdown, limited mobility, as well as changes in the activity profile of some laboratories, the restriction also applied to access to various screening tests, including HIV screening tests.

AIM

The aim of the study was to assess HIV testing trend during COVID-19 pandemic in laboratories in Poland and its comparison to the preceding years, with special focus on testing in the network of Voluntary Testing and Counselling (VCT) sites serving population with higher behavior risk, which increase the possibility of HIV infection.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Analysis of the changes in HIV tests number was based on the results of the annual survey of HIV tests conducted among the laboratories throughout the country. The questionnaire included data on screening and positive tests by testing site type, age group and gender. In addition, we extracted data collected in comprehensive National AIDS Centre database, based on epidemiological and behavior data collected by VCT on people who come for testing.

RESULTS

There are approximately 400,000 HIV tests annually run in general population in last years. COVID-19 pandemic, which occurred in beginning of 2020 did not have a huge impact on HIV test number among these population, because there was observed 1% decreased. Pandemic COVID-19, due to few lockdown reduced the HIV tests number among VCT clients - population with higher HIV risk infection. Tests number decreased by 44% compare to previous year, due to temporal closed of these centres. Data analysis shows that due to the pandemic, the structure of the surveyed people changed, especially in terms of age and gender, and the place where the study was performed.

CONCLUSION

We confirmed low HIV testing rates in general population and low positivity rate over the studied period. The positivity rate was higher in the testing site network targeting individuals engaging in high risk behaviors. Changes observed in HIV testing trends in recent years have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

HIV infections and AIDS in Poland in 2019

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of the study was to assess the epidemiological situation of newly diagnosed HIV infections, and AIDS cases, and death among AIDS cases in Poland in 2019 in comparison to the changes in preceding years.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Analysis of the epidemiological situation was based on reports of newly detected HIV cases and AIDS cases received from doctors and laboratories and the results of the annual survey of HIV testing conducted among the laboratories throughout the country. A dataset on clients from anonymous Voluntary Testing and Counselling (VCT) network was also used. The activities of the VCT are coordinated by the National AIDS Center, which collects epidemiological and behaviour data on people who come for testing.

RESULTS

In 2019 there were 1,551 HIV cases newly diagnosed in Poland (diagnosis rate was 4.04 per 100,000), including 144 among non-Polish citizens. The frequency of newly detected HIV infections increased by 28.2% compared to the previous year and was higher by 21.4% compared to the median in 2013-2017 years. The total number of AIDS cases was 95 (incidence was 0.25 per 100,000) and 15 people died from AIDS disease (0.04 per 100,000 ). The HIV infection was most often detected in the age group between 30 and 39 (36%) and among men (85,1%). Among cases with known transmission route, 73.6% concerned among men who had sexual contact with men (MSM). The percentage of AIDS cases diagnosed at the same time with HIV diagnosis increased by almost 8 percent points in comparison to 2018 (from 73% to 81.1% of all incident AIDS cases).

CONCLUSION

In 2019, the frequency of newly detected HIV infections increased compared to the previous year. All actions should be taken to provide medical care to people with newly detected HIV infection, including foreigners residing in Poland. Also HIV testing action should be promoted among total population. Initiatives should be taken to raise awareness of the risk of HIV infection and to disseminate methods of prevention of infection, especially among key populations. It is also advisable to integrate different data sources, the combination of which will allow to improve their quality, as well as reliable monitoring of key epidemiological indicators.