ABSTRACT
The HIV/AIDS epidemics in Mexico has remained stable in terms of its slow growth during the last decade. Since the beginning of this century, efforts have been made to improve the epidemiological registration system. An important number of probability studies involving multiple geographic locations in Mexico and larger numbers of high-risk vulnerable populations have also been carried out, while continuing surveillance of volunteers for HIV testing. The analysis of recently obtained information and its comparison with that of the past century have unveiled the traces left by the new epidemics in its wake. The joint analysis of available information indicates that there are changes in transmission patterns of HIV/ AIDS that have modified the prevalence figures of previous decades. While transmission of blood-borne HIV infections have ceased, the number of HIV-seropositive drug users has increased, particularly in the northern of Mexico. In the population of men having sex with men (MSM) a decline in HIV prevalence has been noticed, excepting in the male sex working (MSW) group in whom a significant increase has been observed. The population with heterosexual practice clearly shows a steady growth of AIDS in women, particularly in young women from rural areas and in native women.
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/epidemiology , Humans , Mexico/epidemiology , Prevalence , Time FactorsABSTRACT
En México, la epidemia de VIH/sida se ha mantenido estable en términos de su lento crecimiento durante la última década. Desde que inició el presente siglo se han realizado enormes esfuerzos para mejorar el sistema de registro epidemiológico, también se ha ejecutado un importante número de estudios probabilísticos que abarcaron gran cantidad de puntos geográficos en el territorio nacional y un relevante número de poblaciones clave en términos de vulnerabilidad frente a la epidemia, sin descuidar la vigilancia centinela que se nutre con las personas que acuden voluntariamente a realizarse la prueba de VIH. El análisis de la información obtenida recientemente y su comparación con la del pasado siglo han permitido el hallazgo de los nuevos rastros que deja la epidemia a su paso. El análisis conjunto y articulado de toda la información obtenida apunta a que hay cambios en los patrones de transmisión del VIH/sida y, por tanto, se han modificado las prevalencias observadas en décadas anteriores. Respecto a la vía de transmisión sanguínea han cesado los contagios relacionados on transfusiones y hemoderivados, sin embargo, ha crecido con fuerza el número de personas seropositivas en la población usuaria de drogas intravenosas, fundamentalmente en la región norte del país. En la población de hombres que tienen sexo con hombres se observa un descenso de la prevalencia, con excepción del grupo de hombres que practican el trabajo sexual, en el cual habría un importante incremento. En la población con prácticas heterosexuales se aprecia con nitidez un crecimiento constante de los casos de sida en mujeres, particularmente en las jóvenes, en las zonas rurales y en las mujeres indígenas.
The HIV/AIDS epidemics in Mexico has remained stable in terms of its slow growth during the last decade. Since the beginning of this century, efforts have been made to improve the epidemiological registration system. An important number of probability studies involving multiple geographic locations in Mexico and larger numbers of high-risk vulnerable populations have also been carried out, while continuing surveillance of volunteers for HIV testing. The analysis of recently obtained information and its comparison with that of the past century have unveiled the traces left by the new epidemics in its wake. The joint analysis of available information indicates that there are changes in transmission patterns of HIV/ AIDS that have modified the prevalence figures of previous decades. While transmission of blood-borne HIV infections have ceased, the number of HIV-seropositive drug users has increased, particularly in the northern of Mexico. In the population of men having sex with men (MSM) a decline in HIV prevalence has been noticed, excepting in the male sex working (MSW) group in whom a significant increase has been observed. The population with heterosexual practice clearly shows a steady growth of AIDS in women, particularly in young women from rural areas and in native women.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/epidemiology , Mexico/epidemiology , Prevalence , Time FactorsABSTRACT
This document aims to give an epidemiological overview of HIV and AIDS in Mexico, to highlight some aspects of both the governmental and nongovernmental response, and to emphasize important challenges in the fight against the epidemic. The HIV and AIDS epidemic in Mexico is confined to specific groups such as men who have sex with men and intravenous drug users. It has low prevalence among general population, a percentage we aim to maintain. Universal access to retroviral treatment in Mexico is an achievement that is sustainable only if a constant reduction of new cases is accomplished. This can only be obtained by preventive measures that are based on evidence. It is necessary to strengthen nongovernmental associations that are working on prevention. In 2009, the number of nongovernmental associations that received official financing was relatively low. It is necessary to improve the epidemic vigilance and evaluation systems. This would allow better follow-up of the activities that confront the epidemic, and to obtain better feedback for the procedures.
