[Characteristics of HIV transmission through heterosexual contact in China, 2008-2014]

To understand the epidemiological characteristics and changing patterns of HIV transmission through heterosexual contact since 2008, and to project the influences of heterosexual transmission mode on the HIV epidemic in China.

Demographic data and history of exposure in newly identified HIV/AIDS cases aged 15 years or older, through heterosexual transmission mode from 2008 to 2014, were collected and analyzed.

The number of HIV/AIDS cases caused by heterosexual transmission increased from 23 402 in 2008, to 68 671 in 2014. The proportion of heterosexual transmission mode increased from 8.7% in 2008 to 66.4% in 2014. Among these cases, the proportion of males increased from 55.3% in 2008 to 68.2% in 2014. Among those who reported acquiring HIV through heterosexual contact, the proportion of cases through extramarital sexual acts out of all the newly report ones, increased from 78.2% in 2008 to 88.2% in 2014. This mode of infection accounted for 85.2% in the age 15 to 49 years group, comparing to 84.2% in the age group of 50 years old or above. The proportion of reported HIV infections through extramarital sexual acts appeared 93.8% on males while 69.0% on females, with statistically significant difference (χ(2)=36 000.000, P<0.001).

As the predominant factor of HIV/AIDS epidemic, currently in China, heterosexual transmission showed diversities in different sub-epidemic areas, gender or age groups. Tailored strategies were urgently needed for health education and highrisk behavioral intervention, according to the local epidemic driven factors, respectively.