Overview of HIV epidemiological situation in Georgia

Georgia still belongs to low HIV epidemic countries and by December 1st, 2008 there are 1825 HIV/AIDS cases registered at the IDACIRC with estimated number 3500 (estimated prevalence 0.09%). Majority of HIV/AIDS patients are male (75%). Four hundred and sixty one patients are under the Antiretroviral (ARV) treatment, including 23 children. Despite of HIV low prevalence, Georgia is considered to be at risk for an imminent epidemic spread of HIV mainly due to wide spread drug use with high risk practices (needle-sharing) and high rate of STIs. The major route of HIV transmission is associated with IDU. At the moment approximately 60% of all reported HIV cases are due to drug injection. However over the last several years heterosexual route of transmission is gaining importance, and increased from 29.1% to 36.1% for last five years. First significant increase of HIV incidence rate was observed from 1999 to 2000 (2.24 times) and 2003 to 2004. From 2004 stabile, but slight increase of incidence rate is presented. Most HIV positive patients are diagnosed at the age from 25 to 45. The highest HIV prevalence rates are found in Western Georgia, particularly Black Sea coast regions--Megrelia and Adjara (with prevalence of 131.11 and 132.03 among adult HIV cases per 100,000 adult population). Enlarging educational activities, prevention interventions, better financing of HIV programs and improvement of capacity building will help the country to keep HIV epidemic in a low prevalence and give country possibility to achieve "Universal Access to HIV Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support" for 2010 year.