HIV and AIDS in Iran

According to data, reported by UNAIDS and WHO, the HIV epidemic in the Islamic Republic of Iran appears to be accelerating at an alarming trend. According to reports by the National AIDS programme, the number of newly diagnosed HIV infections and AIDS cases in 2001 shows a three-fold increase in comparison to both years 2000 and 1999.

This considerable increase may indicate another outbreak. The previous dramatic increase had occurred in 1997, when the number of HIV/AIDS cases had reached 818 new infections.

Dominating routes of HIV transmissions

Injecting drug use drives the epidemic in Iran. In 2001, 64% of all AIDS cases were injecting drug users. The data on HIV prevalence among IDUs shows the highest rates of infection compared to all other tested groups.

This data, however, is variable as it relates to occurrence of well- known outbreaks among ID users in prisons. Consequently, it is not surprising to note that HIV rates among prisoners rose up to six times higher in 1999 compared to 1996.

Likewise we observe a high rate of HIV positive tests among attendants of voluntary counselling and testing centres, because these centres mainly serve drug users. Other routes of transmission were not so much examined.

Over the past few years the trend, however, has shifted and the sexual route of HIV transmission has started growing tremendously.

HIV and gender

Most studies indicate that the majority of HIV infected people are men. It has to do with the fact that the local traditions prevent women to actively seek HIV/AIDS/STDs care, which is worsened by the lack of access to HIV testing and counselling.

Unfortunately, there is no mandatory HIV testing policy.

Estimated number of adults and children living with HIV/AIDS as of December 2003

These estimates include all people with HIV infection, whether or not they have developed symptoms of AIDS, alive at the end of 2003:

People, living with HIV	Number	Percentage
Adults (15-49)	31,000	100%
Women (15-49)	3,800	12.26%
Men (15-49)	27,200	87.74%

Estimated number of deaths due to AIDS

As of year 2003, nearly 800 people died of AIDS in Iran. Most of them were men from 25 to 44 years of age.

HIV in Tajikistan

The Republic of Tajikistan is currently viewed as a country with low prevalence of HIV infection. As of March 2004, 170 cases of HIV infection have been registered in the republic, or 0.28 cases per 100,000 of the population.

Of the total number of cases, 81% are men and 19% women, but since 2000 there has been a growing trend of infection among women. In 71% of cases, infection was transmitted though injecting drug use, in 9% through sexual contacts, in 4% through blood transfusion, and in 16% the mode of transmission is not identified.

The official data, however, do not reflect the real situation. Due to economic instability in the last decade, Tajikistan could not afford full testing in the country. Improved laboratory diagnostics for HIV began only in 2003 with support from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

In just two months in 2004, 51 new cases were registered. The total number of HIV infected people is officially estimated to be 200. However, UNAIDS experts estimate that, taking into account the factors conducive to the spread of HIV infection (an increasing number of injecting drug users, sex work, unemployment, poverty and migration), the real number of HIV-infected people in the country is 10 to 20 times higher than the official data.