Sexually transmitted infections case notification rates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2005-2012.

INTRODUCTION: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are major public health concerns around the world. This study describes the epidemiology of reported STI cases from 2005 to 2012 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODOLOGY: The annual registry was the main source of data as reported by healthcare providers. Case definitions were based on positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies detectable by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and confirmed by western blot test for HIV cases. The definitions of other STIs were based on published Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) definitions. RESULTS: During the study period, 68,886 new cases were reported, with nongonococcal urethritis being the highest STI (25.4) per 100,000 population (25.4), followed by trichomoniasis (9.1), HIV (7), human papillomavirus (HPV) infection (2.9), and syphilis (1.3). The cases included nongonococcal urethritis (n = 35,613; 51.7%), trichomoniasis (n = 12,679; 18.4%), gonococcal urethritis (n = 3,006; 4.4%), syphilis (n = 1,769; 2.6%), HIV (n = 9,843; 14.3%), genital warts (n = 4,018; 5.8%), genital herpes (n = 1,508; 2.2%), and chancroid (n = 450; 0.7%). Saudi contribution to HIV cases increased from 28.9% in the preceding decade to 43.5% in the current study. CONCLUSIONS: Nongonococcal urethritis, trichomoniasis, and HIV were the most commonly reported STIs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

HIV case notification rates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over the past decade (2000-2009).

OBJECTIVE: To study trends in HIV case notification rates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. DESIGN: A ten year retrospective review of annual HIV case notification returns to the Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Annual Registry statistics covering the period 2000 to 2009 were reviewed. Annual incidence trends were stratified according to the following demographics: age, nationality, geographical region of residence, gender, and mode of disease acquisition. RESULTS: 10,217 new HIV cases (2,956 in Saudi nationals and 7,261 in non-Saudis) were reported. Africans of Sub-Saharan Africa origin accounting for 3,982/7,261 (53%) of non-Saudi cases constituted: Ethiopians (2,271), Nigerians (1,048), and Sudanese nationals (663). The overall average annual incidence was <4 cases per 100,000; 1.5 cases per 100,000 for Saudis (range 0.5-2.5), and 13.2 per 100,000 for non-Saudis (range 5.7-19.0). Notifications increased yearly from 2000 for both groups until a plateau was reached in 2006 at 1,390 new cases. Case notification in Saudi nationals increased from 20% in the early 2001 to 40% in 2009. 4% (124/2,956) of cases were reported in Saudi children. The male to female ratio was 1.6:1 for non-Saudi nationals (43.8% male, 27.3% female) and 4.4:1 for Saudis (23.5% male, 5.4% female). CONCLUSIONS: Whilst the numbers of reported HIV cases have stabilised since 2006, HIV/AIDS remains an important public health problem in KSA, both in migrants and Saudi nationals. HIV transmission to Saudi children is also of concern. Optimization of data collection, surveillance, and pro-active screening for HIV is required.