Russia and AIDS: The Truth, The Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth

Women’s rights are high on the international agenda as the world moves towards a more egalitarian model, finally creating and respecting gender equality and the empowerment of women. As regards AIDS, what is the situation involving women in particular and the population in general, in the Russian Federation, CIS countries and in the international community? PRAVDA.Ru presents its exclusive interview*.

1. PRAVDA.Ru What is the situation in the Russian Federation regarding the AIDS epidemic?

Nargis Azizova: According to UNAIDS the number of new HIV cases in Russia increased every year: if in 2008 there were 54,000 new cases, in 2009 that number could reach 60
thousand. Although the peak of the epidemic in the world performed in our region - Eastern Europe and Central Asia - the epidemic continues to grow while the number of new cases is
increasing annually.

This is typical for Russia. If in 2007 there were about 45 thousand new cases, in 2008 there were around 54 thousand, but this year, according to the Federal AIDS Center, there are expected about 60,000 new cases", - said Marina Semenchenko, Team Leader of UNAIDS at a press Conference of the International AIDS Day, celebrated December 1. She noted that the main route of HIV transmission in Russia remains injecting drug use. Approximately 80% of all HIV-infected Russians are infected through injection by drug addicts.

Russia is also seeing a growing number of cases through heterosexual relations. For example, in 2006, HIV infections were responsible for 32.300 people; in 2007 – 34.400 in 2008 – 35.100. In this case, drug addicts and their wives are not the only group at high risk. Commercial sex workers, men who have sex with men, and prisoners are more likely to contract HIV than other groups.

In Russia, millions of migrants come from other countries (the Commonwealth of Independent States, for instance). And if earlier it was believed that they brought to us HIV infection and tuberculosis, now studies show that those who arrive are healthy, young men. They are detached from families, receive the money and, unfortunately, often acquire HIV infection in Russia, which they then pass to their wives and girlfriends .

Advisor on HIV / AIDS in Eastern Europe and CIS Shombi Sharp also believes that the epidemic can be stopped by using preventive measures among drug addicts.

2. PRAVDA.Ru: Figures, in concrete terms, for Russia and the CIS?

Nargis Azizova: The number of registered cases of HIV infection (first diagnosis) increased almost 10 times over the years 1991-2000 in Russia - from 579 people (0.39 per 100 thousand persons) to 56,471 (39.1), after which, having passed a certain point of saturation in high- risk groups was reduced - to 30,212 people (21,2) in 2004, then resumed growth - up to 52,185 people (36,7) in 2007. In Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Tajikistan and other CIS countries, the epidemic continues to grow.

According to the number of registered HIV cases diagnosed for the first time, in 2008 the incidence per 100 thousand resident population ranged from 5.0 in Azerbaijan to 31.9 in Russia. In Ukraine, where the disease is not less common, the incidence reached, according to data for 2007, 38,5 first diagnosis of HIV infection in 100
thousand people.

As regards CIS, ah ead of them all - Belarus, with 22% growth in AIDS. The number of new HIV infections in 2009 in Ukraine has increased by 5%, in Russia - by 8%; in Georgia - 10%; (figures from Regional Director of UNAIDS for Europe and Central Asia, Denis Broun). He noted that in absolute terms the number of new HIV infections in 2009 totaled 19,840, against 18,963 in 2008. Most cases of the disease as previously recorded was among injecting drug users, but the situation is compounded by the fact that this category of people have wives, partners and friends. This, he says, leads to an increase in sexually transmitted infections.

3. PRAVDA.Ru: Putting this in a worldwide context?

Nargis Azizova: In the world in 2008, 430,000 children were born with HIV. As a result, the total number of children living with HIV younger than 15 years was in 2008 2,1 million people. According to UNAIDS, the young people in the world are accounting for about 40% of all new HIV infections.

A third of all people living with HIV have TB, which is one of the main causes of their deaths. At the same time, TB is curable and preventable. According to UNAIDS in 2010 services in connection with HIV treatment will require 25 billion dollars.

4. PRAVDA.Ru: And specifically, what is the situation among women?

Nargis Azizova: About 25 million people on Earth have died from AIDS since the appearance of the disease. According to UN experts, 60 million are HIV-infected. Necessary drugs are available for less than half of the 9.5 million carriers in need of antiviral therapy. HIV has become the main cause of death and illness among women of childbearing age worldwide (UNAIDS). Up to 70% of women worldwide are forced to have sexual intercourse without protection measures. According to UNAIDS this violence against women is intolerable. In sub-Saharan Africa, women constitute 60% of people living with HIV. And in southern Africa, the threat of HIV infection for young women is three times higher than for young men of the same age.