HIV infection rates in rural Russia increased by 4%
HIV infection rates in rural Russia increased by 4%
According to a report by Rospotrebnadzor for 2022.
01.06.2023
The HIV infection rate among rural residents in 2022 reached 35.1 cases per 100,000, which is 4.0% higher than in 2021, according to a report by Rospotrebnadzor (the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing) on the state of sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the Russian population in 2022. In 33 regions of Russia, 30% to 81% of all new cases of HIV were specifically among rural residents.
The regions in Russia that face the greatest disadvantages in this regard include Perm Krai, Novosibirsk, Kemerovo, Tomsk, Samara, Tyumen, Kurgan, Orenburg, Chelyabinsk, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, and the Republics of Buryatia and Khakassia. There, the infection rate greatly exceeds that of the general population, which is atypical for HIV, as noted in the report.
In total, over 45 million Russian citizens were tested for HIV in 2022 — approximately one-third of the total population. According to the report, the volume of HIV testing has recovered after a decline in 2020.
In recent years, HIV has been most often detected in Russia among people aged 30-39 (37.9%) and 40-49 years (32.2%). Rospotrebnadzor found that the proportion of elderly people with HIV has increased, while among youth (15-20 years), it has decreased to 0.8%.
Analysing the distribution of possible transmission routes, the department determined that 72% of newly diagnosed patients reported only heterosexual contact, while 4.1% reported homosexual contact.
The total number of people with HIV as of 31 December 2022 was 794.7 per 100,000 in Russia, compared to 782 in 2021. Meanwhile, the total volume of direct and indirect medical expenses for combating HIV infection in Russia in 2022 amounted to 262 billion roubles. Funda for the procurement of antiretroviral drugs increased by 34.1%, totalling 42.5 billion roubles.
Translated by: Spencer Michaels
