Some 3,300 HIV cases registered in Armenia
03.12.2018,
16:01
Some 3,300 HIV cases were registered in Armenia as of December 1, 2018, while the estimated number of people with HIV is about 3,400 people, according to Samvel Grigoryan, the head of the National Center for AIDS Prevention.
YEREVAN, December 3. /ARKA/. Some 3,300 HIV cases were registered in Armenia as of December 1, 2018, while the estimated number of people with HIV is about 3,400 people, according to Samvel Grigoryan, the head of the National Center for AIDS Prevention.
Speaking to a news conference today, he said the Center was providing antiretroviral treatment to some 1,820 people infected with the immunodeficiency virus, of whom 26 are foreigners. The treatment is completely free not only for Armenian citizens, but also for citizens of other countries.
Grigoryan stressed that Armenia is the only country in the region where assistance to foreign citizens with HIV is free.
On the prevention and diagnosis of the disease, he said over the past few years, Armenia has made significant achievements. "We have improved the rates of early diagnosis of the disease. We can say with confidence today that 75% of people with HIV are already diagnosed," he said. Grigoryan predicted that by 2020 Armenia will reach international rate of diagnosing HIV cases, which is 90%.
"In Armenia, about 70% of people who have been diagnosed with HIV are being treated. The immunodeficiency virus in about 85% of these patients was suppressed to zero. Thus, in terms of HIV detection, treatment and suppression, Armenia is approaching the UN-set target of 90%," said Grigoryan.
According to him, the HIV prevalence rate among the population is only 0.2%, which is four times lower than the regional average. "In none of the social risk groups, the number of HIV-infected people does exceed 5%, which is an encouraging indicator. This is due to the effectiveness of the preventive measures and the awareness of the population," he said.
Grigoryan also noted that Armenia is one of the most successful countries in terms of eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV. He said most of those infected with HIV in Armenia are men (about 69%). Some 1,021 cases of infection were revealed in women and 57 cases in children. The main sources of transmission are heterosexual intercourse (69%) and drug injection (21%).
"Among HIV-infected patients, AIDS was detected in about 1,670 people, including 430 women and 33 children. Overall, 760 people infected with HIV have died in the country, including 142 women and 11 children," Grigoryan said. –0-
Speaking to a news conference today, he said the Center was providing antiretroviral treatment to some 1,820 people infected with the immunodeficiency virus, of whom 26 are foreigners. The treatment is completely free not only for Armenian citizens, but also for citizens of other countries.
Grigoryan stressed that Armenia is the only country in the region where assistance to foreign citizens with HIV is free.
On the prevention and diagnosis of the disease, he said over the past few years, Armenia has made significant achievements. "We have improved the rates of early diagnosis of the disease. We can say with confidence today that 75% of people with HIV are already diagnosed," he said. Grigoryan predicted that by 2020 Armenia will reach international rate of diagnosing HIV cases, which is 90%.
"In Armenia, about 70% of people who have been diagnosed with HIV are being treated. The immunodeficiency virus in about 85% of these patients was suppressed to zero. Thus, in terms of HIV detection, treatment and suppression, Armenia is approaching the UN-set target of 90%," said Grigoryan.
According to him, the HIV prevalence rate among the population is only 0.2%, which is four times lower than the regional average. "In none of the social risk groups, the number of HIV-infected people does exceed 5%, which is an encouraging indicator. This is due to the effectiveness of the preventive measures and the awareness of the population," he said.
Grigoryan also noted that Armenia is one of the most successful countries in terms of eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV. He said most of those infected with HIV in Armenia are men (about 69%). Some 1,021 cases of infection were revealed in women and 57 cases in children. The main sources of transmission are heterosexual intercourse (69%) and drug injection (21%).
"Among HIV-infected patients, AIDS was detected in about 1,670 people, including 430 women and 33 children. Overall, 760 people infected with HIV have died in the country, including 142 women and 11 children," Grigoryan said. –0-
