Epidemiological Aspect of HIV/AIDS in Korea

Abstract

Exploring the epidemiological trend of HIV/AIDS is required for making the national AIDS policy. In this study, the trend of HIV/AIDS incidence, rout of transmission and some characteristics of AIDS in Korea using the reported cases from the national STD screening scheme were reviewed. Based on the results, the features of the AIDS epidemic was investigated and the efficiency of the mandatory screening system was evaluated. The results were as follows 1) Of the total infected persons, 76% were in their twenties and thirties, socioeconomically and sexually active age groups. While the transmission by sexual contact overseas was decreasing, the infection through domestic heterosexual and homosexual contact was increasing. 2) Although a few prostitutes were reported as. HIV-infected, the most common route of transmission in male was sexual contact with a non-regular sexual partner including prostitutes. This fact showed all of HIV-infected persons were not screened by this mandatory HIV testing system. 3) The routine mandatory screening test on the national STD screening scheme was not efficient to detect persons with HIV/AIDS in early stage. Based on this result, the sentinel hospital surveillance system for national AIDS surveillance was recommended and HIV testing on a voluntary and anonymous basis should be encouraged.