Topic:

HIV/AIDS and other retroviruses

Abstract No.:

ISE.476

Title:

Syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus transmission in Algeria

Author(s):

A. Benabdellah; CHU.Oran, infectiuos diseases, Oran/DZ

Abstract:

Background: Algeria like Muslim countries show low HIV prevalences, below 0.2%.
Methods: Retrospective study of all consecutive cases HIV and syphilis patients from 2006 to 2010.Clinical,biological and virological data were collected .Adults (>15 years) with  newly diagnosed HIV infection  between 2006  to 2010 were enrolled from  the regional HIV center of Oran in Algeria.Diagnosis of HIV infection was confirmed by western blot.Informations on demographic,socioeconomic status were collected.Incidence of syphilis in the  general population was studied using  regional surveillance data.To be registered patients with syphilis must have positive VDRL or TPHA assay titers.Analysis were performed using EPI-info v6.a P-value of less than 0.05 was considered as statiscally significant. 
Results: 796 patients were infected with HIV.754 patients were infected trepanema paludum.Concerning HIV:55.5% (442) of patients were femaleThe mode of transmission was heterosexual in 96.4% of patients.98.4 of patients were algerian.There is a significant decreased incidence of newly HIV infected and syphilis cases  after the period of the month of ramadan.  
Conclusion: Several factors may increase the risk of epidemic like transmitted sexual diseases,intraveinous drug use….Sexual transmission of HIV is tied to unprotected sexual intercourseTo reduce the risk of sexually transmitted HIV infection, a behavioral intervention must reduce the frequency of unprotected sexual intercourse.This can be achieved in 2 ways: (1) the abstinence strategy, which focuses on reducing the frequency of sexual intercourse,and(2) the safer-sex strategy, which focuses on increasing the frequency of condom use.