Assessment of the duration of HIV-1 infection among individuals from vulnerable groups in EECA countries in 2022–2024
Objective. Analysis of recent infection among individuals from vulnerable groups identified in 2022–2024 in six EECA countries (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan).Shlykova A.V., Kireev D.E., Kirichenko A.A., Lapovok I.A., Lopatukhin A.E., Mammadov F.M., Aliev S.E., Ibragimova S.S., Arzakanyan V.G., Lalayan K.V., Ovsepyan T.V., Gasich E.L., Bunas A.S., Glinskaya I.N., Bekbolotov A.A., Iskanova B.M., Narmatova E.B., Yusufi S.J.., Sattorov S.S., Yokubov I.R., Musabayev E.I., Kazakova E.I., Yuldashev T.-M.K., Pokrovsky V.V., Akimkin V.G.
Materials and methods. The study sample consisted of 3,167 people living with HIV (PLHIV) newly identified during the study period. The duration of HIV-1 infection was assessed using the specialized DS-IFA-HIV-AT-SROK serological test system (NPO Diagnostic Systems, Russia).
Results. Recent infection (less than 9 months ago) was detected in 24.12% of the subjects (764/3167; 95% CI 22.63–25.61%). The highest rate was recorded in the 18–34 age group (29.31%, p < 0.0001), where men were predominantly identified (53.82%, p < 0.0001). When stratifying the sample by route of infection, individuals infected through homosexual contact were more likely to be classified as "recently infected" (36.62%; p < 0.0001). Among recently infected individuals, the likelihood of being diagnosed with HIV among men who have sex with men was twice as high (odds ratio 2.046, 95% CI 1.657–2.527; p < 0.0001) compared to individuals from other vulnerable groups.
Conclusion. The evolving HIV epidemic in the region requires improved prevention and control programs, prioritizing increased coverage of HIV testing and treatment, especially for individuals from vulnerable groups.
Keywords
HIV-1
HIV infection
duration of infection
recent infection
vulnerable groups
References
1. Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). URL: https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/2024-unaids-global-aids-update_en.pdf
2. Lyons C., Bendaud V., Bourey C., Erkkola T., Ravichandran I., Syarif O. et al. Global assessment of existing HIV and key population stigma indicators: A data mapping exercise to inform country-level stigma measurement. PLoS Medicine 2022; 19(2): e1003914. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003914
3. Wolfe D., Carrieri M.P., Shepard D. Treatment and care for injecting drug users with HIV infection: a review of barriers and ways forward. Lancet 2010; 376(9738): 355–366. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(10)60832-X
4. Shannon K., Strathdee S.A., Goldenberg S.M., Duff P., Mwangi P., Rusakova M. et al. Global epidemiology of HIV among female sex workers: influence of structural determinants. Lancet 2015; 385(9962): 55–71. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60931-4
5. Le T.M., Lee P.C., Stewart D.E., Long T.N., Quoc C.N. What are the risk factors for HIV in men who have sex with men in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam? – A cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2016; 16: 406. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-3088-8
6. Barrington C., Gandhi A., Gill A., Villa Torres L., Brietzke M.P., Hightow-Weidman L. Social networks, migration, and HIV testing among Latinos in a new immigrant destination: Insights from a qualitative study. Global Public Health 2018; 13(10): 1507–1519. DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2017.1409783
7. Goldenberg S.M., Strathdee S.A., Perez-Rosales M.D., Sued O. Mobility and HIV in Central America and Mexico: a critical review. J. Immigr. Minor. Health 2012; 14(1): 48–64. DOI: 10.1007/s10903-011-9505-2
8. Rocha-Jiménez T., Morales-Miranda S., Fernández-Casanueva C., Brouwer K.C. The influence of migration in substance use practices and HIV/STI-related risks of female sex workers at a dynamic border crossing. J. Ethn. Subs. Abuse 2020; 19(4): 503–520. DOI: 10.1080/15332640.2018.1556763
9. Агаджанян В., Зотова Н. Миграция и риски ВИЧ-инфекции. Женщины – выходцы из Средней Азии и РФ. Демографическое обозрение 2014; 1(2): 85–108. [Aghajanyan V., Zotova N. Migration and the risks of HIV infection. The women come from Central Asia and the Russian Federation. Demographic overview 2014; 1(2): 85–108. (In Russ.)].
10. Nkulu-Kalengayi F.K., Jonzon R., Deogan C., Hurtig A.K. Evidence and gaps in the literature on HIV/STI prevention interventions targeting migrants in receiving countries: a scoping review. Glob. Health Action 2021; 14(1): 1962039. DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2021.1962039
11. Kärki T., Napoli C., Riccardo F., Fabiani M., Dente M.G., Carballo M. et al. Screening for infectious diseases among newly arrived migrants in EU/EEA countries-varying practices but consensus on the utility of screening. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2014; 11(10): 11004–11014. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph111011004
12. Alvarez-Del Arco D., Fakoya I., Thomadakis C., Pantazis N., Touloumi G., Gennotte A.F. et al. High levels of postmigration HIV acquisition within nine European countries. AIDS 2017; 31(14): 1979–1988. DOI: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000001571
13. Tuan N.A., Fylkesnes K., Thang B.D., Hien N.T., Long N.T., Kinh N.V. et al. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection patterns and risk behaviours in different population groups and provinces in Viet Nam. Bull. World Health Organ. 2007; 85(1): 35–41. DOI: 10.2471/blt.05.026153
14. Ладная Н.Н., Покровский В.В., Соколова Е.В. Результаты обследования населения Российской Федерации на антитела к ВИЧ в 2014–2023 гг. Материалы XVII Ежегодного Всероссийского Конгресса по инфекционным болезням имени академика В.И. Покровского «Инфекционные болезни в современном мире: эволюция, текущие и будущие угрозы». М. 2025: 117. [Ladnaia N.N., Pokrovsky V.V., Sokolova E.V. Results of a survey of the population of the Russian Federation for HIV antibodies in 2014–2023. Proceedings of the XVII Annual All-Russian Congress on Infectious Diseases named after Academician V.I. Pokrovsky «Infectious Diseases in the Modern World: Evolution, Current and Future Threats». Moscow. 2025: p. 117. (In Russ.)].
15. Загрядская Ю.Е., Нешумаев Д.А., Кокотюха Ю.А., Мейрманова Е.М., Ольховский И.А., Пузырёв В.Ф. и др. Оценка новой тест-системы ДС-ИФА-ВИЧ-АТ-СРОК для определения вероятных сроков заражения вирусом иммунодефицита человека 1-го типа (ВИЧ-1). Эпидемиол.
и инфекц. бол. 2015; 20(3): 23–27. [Zagryadskaya Yu.E., Neshumaev D.A., Kokotyukha Yu.A., Meyrmanova E.M., Olkhovskiy I.A., Puzyrev V.F. et al. Assessment of a new DS-EIA-HIV-AB-TERM assay to determine the probably time of infection with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1). Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases 2015; 20(3): 23–27. (In Russ.)].
16. Suligoi B., Regine V., Raimondo M., Rodella A., Terlenghi L., Caruso A. et al. HIV avidity index performance using a modified fourth-generation immunoassay to detect recent HIV infections. Clin. Сhem. Lab. Med. 2017; 55(12): 2010–2019. DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2016-1192
17. Kabaghe A.N., Stephens R., Payne D., Theu J., Luhanga M., Chalira D. et al. HIV Recent Infection and Past HIV Testing History Among Newly HIV-Diagnosed 15-24-Year-Olds in Malawi: An Analysis of 2019–2022 HIV Recent Infection Surveillance Data. AIDS Educ. Prev. 2023; 35: 4–19. DOI: 10.1521/aeap.2023.35.suppA.4
18. Suligoi B., Regine V., Pugliese L., Galli C. Recent HIV Infections in Italy: Data from the HIV National Surveillance System, 2012–2023. Pathogens 2025; 14(9): 835. DOI: 10.3390/pathogens14090835
19. Alemu T., Ayalew M., Haile M., Amsalu A., Ayal A., Wale F. et al. Recent HIV infection among newly diagnosed cases and associated factors in the Amhara regional state, Northern Ethiopia: HIV case surveillance data analysis (2019–2021). Front. Public Health 2022; (10): 922385. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.922385
20. Zhao J., Chen H., Wan Z., Yu T., Liu Q., Shui J. et al. Evaluation of antiretroviral therapy effect and prognosis between HIV-1 recent and long-term infection based on a rapid recent infection testing algorithm. Front. Microbiol. 2022; 13: 1004960. DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1004960
21. Казакова Е.И., Ибадуллаева Н.С., Юлдашев Т.К. Молекулярно-генетическая характеристика ВИЧ-1 среди пациентов с недавним заражением. Журнал теоретической и клинической медицины 2025; (1): 101–104. [Kazakova E.I., Ibadullayeva N.S., Yuldashev T.K. Molecular and genetic characteristics of HIV-1 among patients with recent infection. Journal of Theoretical and Clinical Medicine 2025; (1): 101–104. (In Russ.)].
22. Солиев А.А., Сатторов С.С., Одиназода М.Э., Усманова Г.М. Эпидемиологический надзор за случаями ВИЧ в Республике Таджикистан. Эпидемиол. инфекц. болезни. Актуал. вопр. 2024; 14(4): 13–16. [Soliev A.A., Sattorov S.S., Odinazoda M.E., Usmanova G.M. Epidemiological surveillance of HIV cases in the Republic of Tajikistan. Epidemiology and infectious diseases. Current issue 2024; 14(4): 13–16. (In Russ.)]. DOI: 10.18565/epidem.2024.14.4.13-6
About the Authors
Anastasia V. Shlykova, Researcher, Laboratory of Diagnostics and Molecular Epidemiology of HIV Infection, Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being, Moscow, Russia; murzakova_a@cmd.su; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1390-8021Dmitry E. Kireev, MD., Head, Laboratory of Diagnostics and Molecular Epidemiology of HIV Infection, Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being, Moscow, Russia; dmitry.kireev@pcr.ms; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7896-2379
Alina A. Kirichenko, Cand. Med. Sci., Senior Researcher, Laboratory of Diagnostics and Molecular Epidemiology of HIV Infection, Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being, Moscow, Russia; kirichenko@cmd.su; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7116-0138
Ilya A. Lapovok, Cand. Biol. Sci., Senior Researcher, Laboratory of Diagnostics and Molecular Epidemiology of HIV Infection, Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being, Moscow, Russia; lapovok@cmd.su; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6328-1415
Alexey E. Lopatukhin, Researcher, Laboratory of Diagnostics and Molecular Epidemiology of HIV Infection, Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being, Moscow, Russia; alexey.lopatukhin@pcr.ms;
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2826-699X
Famil M. Mammadov, Cand. Med. Sci., Director, Republican AIDS Control Center, Baku, Azerbaijan; familmammadovtbi@mail.ru; https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3474-4421
Sabukhi E. Aliev, Head, Department of Epidemiological Control and Prevention Department, Republican AIDS Control Center, Baku, Azerbaijan; sebuhi.eliyev.1989@list.ru
Sabina S. Ibragimova, Head of Laboratory, Republican AIDS Control Center, Baku, Azerbaijan; cascabell@mail.ru
Vardan G. Arzakanyan, Head, Department of Epidemiological Surveillance and Counseling, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia; arzakanyanvardan@gmail.com; https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4162-5531
Kristine V. Lalayan, Epidemiologist, Department Epidemiological Surveillance and Consultation , National Center for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia; klalayan@rambler.ru;
Tamara V. Hovsepyan, Head, Laboratory and Diagnostic Service Department, National Cen-ter for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia; thovsep@gmail.com; https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9835-7181
Elena L. Gasich, MD. Associate Professor, Head, Laboratory for Diagnosis of HIV and Co-Infections, Republican Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, Minsk, Republic of Belarus; e.gasich@belriem.by; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3662-3045
Anastasiya S. Bunas, Researcher, Laboratory for Diagnosis of HIV and Co-Infections, Republican Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, Minsk, Belarus;
hivlab@belriem.by; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8641-0104
Iryna N. Glinskaya, Cand. Med. Sci., Head, HIV/AIDS Department, Republican Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, Minsk, Belarus; head_department_hiv@rcheph.by; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3941-9787
Aibek A. Bekbolotov, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Republican Center for Control of Hemocontact Viral Hepatitis and HIV, Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; aibek_0001@mail.ru; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9931-3311
Baarinisa M. Iskanova, Laboratory Doctor, Republican Center for Control of Blood-Borne Viral Hepatitis and HIV, Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; baarinisaiskanova@gmail.com; http://orcid.org/0009-0009-5660-6099
Elmira B. Narmatova, Cand. Med, Sci., Associate Professor, Osh State University, Osh, Kyrgyzstan; elmira.narmatova@yandex.ru; http://orcid.org/0009-0002-5429-1555
Professor Salomudin J. Yusufi, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, Dr. Pharm. Sci., First Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan, Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan; salomudin@mail.ru; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1442-9508
Safarkhon S. Sattorov, Cand. Med. Sci. Director, Republican Center for Prevention and Control of HIV and Parenteral Viral Hepatitis, Dushanbe, Tajikistan; s.safar@inbox.ru; http://orcid.org/0009-0003-0855-4008
Izzatullo R. Yokubov, Doctor of the Highest Qualification Category, Honored Worker of Healthcare of the Republic of Tajikistan, Head of the Monitoring and Evaluation Department, Republican Center for the Prevention and Control of HIV and Parenteral Viral Hepatitis, Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan; izzatyakubov1974@gmail.com; http://orcid.org/0009-0007-9245-3515
Professor Erkin I. Musabaev, Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, MD, Director, Research Institute of Virology of the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center of Epidemiology, Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan; drmusabaev1956@gmail.com; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5124-4353
Evgeniya I. Kazakova, PhD, Head. Scientific Department of Viral and Human Genome Sequencing, Research Institute of Virology of the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center of Epidemiology, Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan; dr.kazakova.evg@gmail.com; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1265-7299
Temur-Malik K. Yuldashev, Epidemiologist, Republican Center for AIDS Control, Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan; t_yuldashev_@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2436-6508
Profesor Vadim V. Pokrovsky, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, MD., Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being, Moscow, Russia; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9514-7288
Professor Vasily G. Akimkin, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, MD, Director, Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being, Moscow, Russia; vgakimkin@yandex.ru; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4228-9044
Similar Articles
