Trends in HIV/AIDS cases in Kyrgyzstan between 2012 and 2022: An ecological study.

BACKGROUND

HIV/AIDS continues to exert a significant toll on health care systems and governments worldwide, including in Kyrgyzstan, impacting the health and well-being of millions. The aim of this study was to examine how the patterns of HIV transmission in Kyrgyzstan evolved between 2012 and 2022.

METHODS

This ecological study employed retrospective data collection. Quantitative methods were employed to assess and analyse changes in patterns of HIV transmission, as well as co-infections such as HIV + hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HIV + hepatitis C virus (HCV), across individuals with varying modes of HIV acquisition. Data encompassed all diagnosed HIV cases from 2012 to 2022 across Chui, Talas, Naryn, Issik-Kol, Batken, Osh, Jalal-Abad oblasts, Bishkek and Osh.

RESULTS

HIV incidence increased from 8.36 to 14.56 per 100 000 populations between 2013 and 2022, with the most significant rise among females, from 8.42 per 100 000 in 2020 to 11.72 per 100 000 in 2022. The study also highlighted an increase in new HIV cases via heterosexual transmission (from 71.7% in 2020 to 81.9% in 2022), and men who have sex with men (MSM)transmission (from 40 cases in 2020 to 75 cases in 2022), while transmission among people who inject drugs dropped significantly (from 201 cases in 2017 to 21 cases in 2022). Notably, there were reductions in new HIV infections through vertical transmission, medical procedures and co-infections with HIV + HBV and HIV + HCV.

CONCLUSION

Between 2012 and 2022, HIV incidence saw a significant rise, especially among individuals aged 18-29 and 30-39 years, with a marked increase among females. The study revealed a shift in transmission modes over this period. While new infections among people who inject drugs declined, there was an uptick in cases reported among MSM and the general population in the country.