[HIV infection in the health care are of Leon. Incidence from 1983-1997]

The aim of the present work was to know the incidence of HIV infection in the sanitary area of León, and its tendency, throughout the period 1983-1997.

A register of cases with the patients attended in the area hospitals, those detected in the Penitentiary Centre of León and notifications of cases of AIDS at a national level have been used. Only the patients residing in a municipality belonging to the area at the time of detection of the infection have been included. Age, sex, risk group, year of detection of the infection, development to AIDS and mortality were analysed. The Spearman coefficient correlation range has been used for the study of tendency.

509 cases of HIV infection (374 males and 134 females) were detected in the area from 1983 to 1997. The accumulated incidence throughout the period of study was 1,368/million inhabitants. The annual incidence shows and upward phase until 1990, followed by another of plateau (1990-1993). In 1994-1995 there was a decrease, interrupted in 1996-1997. The curve as a whole doesn't reveal a descending tendency (p > 0.05). The annual incidence in the IDU follow a similar pattern to that of the complete group while the group of heterosexual transmission shows a tendency to increase (p < 0.025). 223 patients (43.8%) developed AIDS, 195 of whom we know the evolution. Of these, 139 have died and 56 are still alive.

There is no evidence that the incidence of HIV infection tends to decrease in the sanitary area of León at present. This is probably related to the behaviour of the two main risk groups: a tendency to stability in the case of IDU and to increase in heterosexual transmission. It is important to insist on the prevention campaigns, especially those directed towards avoiding heterosexual transmission.