Trends in human immunodeficiency disease in Israel

A total of 144 cases of AIDS and 28 cases of AIDS-related complex (ARC) were reported to the Israel Ministry of Health for the period 1980-1990. In this longitudinal observational study, we examine the progress of the disease in Israel, a country having experienced relatively few cases and with a cumulative incidence rate which is low compared to other developed nations.

The cumulative AIDS incidence was 34 cases/million. There were also 545 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositives reported. Of the 172 AIDS/ARC cases, 161 (93.6%) were males. Almost half (45.9%) were homosexuals, 14.5% were intravenous drug abusers, and 13.4% were persons with hemophilia. Between 1980 and 1988, 51.5% of all cases were homosexuals and 11.3% intravenous drug abusers (IVDAs); while in 1989-1990, the relative contribution of homosexuals fell to 38.7% and that of IVDAs rose to 18.7%. The rate of increase in the annual incidence rate of AIDS has been lower in Israel than elsewhere, but trends in the distribution of risk groups among cases are similar to what has been seen in other Western countries.

Periodic seroprevalence surveys and studies of specific high-risk behaviors in defined populations at risk are needed to help predict the course the AIDS epidemic will take in Israel in the 1990s, and the effect of two mass immigrations, from Ethiopia and the USSR, will have to be assessed. Increased efforts will be needed in the development and delivery of specific targeted educational programs in the 1990s.