HIV registration in the Netherlands Antilles 1985-1996 - abstract

ABSTRACT

The objectives of this paper are to describe the HIV/AIDS epidemiology in the Netherlands Antilles over the last decade and the problems attached to the registration of these cases in a country that is spread over five islands. Some of the problems are that the total number of persons tested for HIV are not recorded, there is a lack of concensus on what case-definition to use in AIDS cases and when to start with administration of drugs. These problems in registration and the ensuing deficiences in the current data give further rise to underestimating the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Since HIV/AIDS has profound impication on demographic, economic and social aspects of a society; and considering the fact that there is still no cure for the disease, it is important to understand and to have a clear picture of the epidemilogy and the consequences of HIV infection and AIDS for the population. From 1985 until the third quarter of 1996 the cumulative total of known HIV -infected persons in the Netherlands Antilles was 793. Most of them are between the ages of 25 and 44 years. From 1991 and 1993 the leading cause of death of in Curacao for people between 25 to 44 years was AIDS. HIV/AIDS accounted for 14 percent of all deaths in this age group in 1991-1993. Curacao and Saint Maarten account for 97.5 percent of the known HIV-infected for the Netherlands Antilles. Recommendations are made for improving the HIV/AIDS registration in the Netherlands Antilles. (AU)