Prevalence, Risk Factors, And Monitoring of Aids Among Syrians Under the Civil War Download PDF

According to the United Nations acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) reports in 2018, the Middle East and North Africa regions are considered as areas of increased concern for human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infection due to high mortality associated with AIDS. This study aims to assess the prevalence of HIV infection among Syrians under the war. The HIV infection was screened among 485,857 Syrian subjects. Also, the antiretroviral drug profile was assessed among HIV positive subjects. The results of HIV-testing using data showed the highest incidence of HIV among Syrians (0.19%). At the end of 2011, the total number of HIV cases on the basis of surveillance started in 1987 was 762, with the figures being 441 (58%) Syrians and 321 (42%) foreigners. Among these HIV-positive individuals, 433 died at the end of 2011 from HIV infection. The geographical distribution of HIV cases in Syria reveals that the majority are found in major cities, with approximately two-thirds (41 percent) of HIV-populated in Damascus and Aleppo (23 percent). The key route for HIV transmission was sexual transmission; 62.8% were heterosexual and 10.5% homosexual. In 2014, there was a higher percentage of mother-to-child HIV transmission during the administration of an injectable medication than was recorded in 2011. Blood transfusions for various diseases is another route of HIV transmission among Syrians. In Syria and, probably, the MENA region, AIDS/HIV has become a serious problem despite the increased availability of free drug therapy. More intensive population screening is required to reduce AIDS/HIV disease distribution dramatically by 2030.