| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 預防醫學研究所 === 91 === Abstract
Objective: To examine the descriptive epidemiological characteristics and trends of HIV-infected cases in Taiwan from 1991 to 2001, and to provide evidence-based information for future AIDS prevention and control.
Method: HIV/AIDS surveillance data from 1991 to 2001, collected by Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Taiwan, were used to conduct epidemiological analyses. The major analysis includes four parts: (1) Profile of HIV infection by nationality, sex, residential areas, risk factors, and age, (2) Profile of HIV infection based on stratified analysis, (3) Estimation of coverage rate of current HIV surveillance system, and (4) International comparisons of HIV infection status between Taiwan and other three East Asian areas or countries.
Results:
Single factor and stratified analysis:
1. The annual new HIV cases increased continuously in the past 10 years with no tendency to plateau. The average increase rate is about 22.3%.
2. The northern region has been and is still the most infected part of the Taiwan Island. However, with the increase of reported new cases in the central and southern region, the epidemiological significance of the northern region decreases gradually.
3. In terms of risk behavior, the homosexual group has been the largest infected sub-population since 1995, especially in northern region.
4. Younger population (below 35) constitutes the major HIV infected group in Taiwan. New HIV sero-positives among young adults and adolescents (age 15-24) have been increasing gradually, and the majority of them are homosexuals.
Estimation of Coverage Rate
The total coverage rate of HIV surveillance data from 1991 to 2001 is 1/3.54, and since 1999 the estimated coverage rate has kept stable at 1/4.
International comparison
In comparison with HIV infection status of Japan, Korea and Hong Kong, Taiwan is the most epidemic area, where the tendency of exacerbation in the future is observable.
Conclusion:
Although Taiwan can be considered a relatively low level area in terms of HIV prevalence, the profile of HIV epidemic described in this study signifies a potential alarming situation. It is suggested that advanced surveillance system should be developed and well implemented to construct a more accurate picture of the epidemic, which, in turn, may provide solid information for HIV/AIDS prevention and control.
Keywords: HIV, descriptive epidemiology, coverage rate
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