Prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of HIV infection in Paraguay: A descriptive study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21781090Keywords:
HIV, epidemiology, Paraguay, prevalence, epidemiological surveillance, public healthAbstract
Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a global and regional public health problem, with a particular epidemiological dynamic in Paraguay that requires updated characterization. Objective: To describe the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of new HIV diagnoses in Paraguay between January and August 2023, based on records from the National HIV/AIDS-STI Control Program (PRONASIDA). Materials and methods: Observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study based on the PRONASIDA administrative registry. All persons with a positive HIV diagnosis recorded between January and August 2023 (996 persons) were included, out of a total of 137,213 persons tested in the same period. Records with incomplete information and negative tests were excluded. Variables analyzed were: new diagnoses by month, distribution by age group, by sex and by department of residence. The protocol was submitted to PRONASIDA authorities and approved; data were handled with codes to protect privacy, and informed consent was not required because this was a descriptive study of existing records without direct patient contact. Results: A total of 996 new HIV diagnoses were recorded, with a monthly mean of 124.5 cases (minimum 91 in February, maximum 160 in August). The highest concentration of cases was observed among those aged 20–29 years (401 cases; 40.3%). Men accounted for 76.1% of new diagnoses (758/996) versus 23.9% in women (238/996), with male predominance in all age groups except those under 4 years. Central department concentrated the largest proportion of cases (39.3%), followed by Capital (23.1%) and Alto Paraná (10.4%). Conclusions: During the study period, HIV in Paraguay disproportionately affected men and young adults aged 20–29 years, with a marked geographic concentration in Central department and the Capital. These descriptive findings identify priority groups and areas for prevention and detection strategies, without allowing causal inferences given the study design.
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