HIV in the Russian Federation

HIV prevalence continues to rise in the Russian Federation, which remains saddled with the worst epidemic in this region. By the end of 2002, a total of 246,285 people had been diagnosed with HIV. More than a fifth (50,529) of that total was added in 2003 alone, indicating that the epidemic is growing at a frightening rate. Moreover, these reported cases almost certainly underestimate the number of people living with HIV.

Most of these infections are occurring through the use of contaminated equipment when injecting drugs, with young men bearing the epidemic's brunt. But another striking pattern is now evident. Women account for an increasing share of newly diagnosed HIV infections - 33% in 2002, compared to 24% a year earlier. One consequence is a sharp rise in mother-to child transmission of HIV. These patterns are most evident in regions where the epidemic took hold several years ago, such as Kalingrad (in the west of the country) and Krasnodar (in the south-west). They indicate the onset of a new stage in the epidemic in parts of the country, where the sexual spread of the virus is becoming a more prominent feature. Because most injecting drug users are young and sexually active, a significant share of new injections is occurring though sexual transmission (often when injecting drug users or their HIV-infected partners engage in unsafe sex).

Although advancing steadily, the Russian Federation's epidemic is still in its early stages. HIV has been detected in 88 of the country's 89 administrative territories, but it is spreading unevenly across this country. In at least 9 territories, serious epidemics are under way, and the virus has gained a firm foothold in a further 11 territories.