HIV Infection in Sumadija District

Abstract

Abstract Serbia is one of the countries with a considerably low prevalence of HIV infection and small number of people who get tested. The aim of this paper is to assess the epidemiological situation of HIV infection in the Šumadija district based on the analysis of the work of voluntary confidential counselling and testing centre for HIV (DPST). Retrospective cohort study of users of the services of the DPST within the Institute of Public Health Kragujevac in a fiveyears period. The form for gathering the data of the clients who undergo HIV counselling is a research instrument. The statistical testing was performed by using the χ2 test, Student’s t-test and ANOVA. DPST services have been used by 1495 clients, 2/3 of which are men (71.6% p<0.01), average age 29.7 ± 10.6 years. There is an increasing trend in the number of users (y=33.3x+198.7, R 2 =0.54). Risky behaviour were: unprotected vaginal (39.3%) and oral sex (22.8%), in men also anal heterosexual (10.2%) and homosexual intercourse (11.7%). Men are significantly more likely to enter homosexual relationships (χ2 =141.59, df=3, p<0.01)), so the number of tested men is significantly higher (χ2 =14.27, df=3, p<0.05). Out of the 1,495 tested people, 12 users were HIV positive. They are all male and almost all have had homosexual relationships. The importance of known epidemiological situation of HIV infection through the work of DPST is reflected in the change of people’s knowledge and behaviour towards HIV and its development depends on the available resources.