HIV infections began to spread extensively

Industrialized Western Countries
HIV infections began to spread extensively shortly before or after 1980. Through the 1980s, the
population “groups” affected predominantly were men who had sex with other men and injecting
drug users (IDU). In 1985, the majority (63 percent) of European adult AIDS cases were
attributed to transmission among homo/bisexual men. In contrast, by 1992, only 42 percent of the
reported adult AIDS cases were due to transmission among homo/bisexual men. The proportion
of European AIDS case infected through IDU increased from 5 percent in 1985 to 36 percent in
the early 1990’s. In Spain and Italy, the major form of HIV transmission has been IDU. InFrance, Germany and the United Kingdom, it is through men who have sex with men. By the
early 1990’s, the United States reported that among adults, 57 percent of AIDS cases were
infected through male-to-male sex
Data on newly diagnosed HIV infections are now being used to track the HIV epidemic in Europe
and provide more relevant information on the current HIV situation since the widespread use of
highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) in 1996. The number of AIDS cases diagnosed
in 2001 was only one-third of that in 1995. However, data for the first 6 months of 2002 suggest
that AIDS incidence is now leveling off.
The rate of newly diagnosed HIV infections has increased by 14% between 1997 and 2001. By
transmission group the number of new diagnoses decreased slowly among homo/bisexual men
and IDU while it has increased steadily among heterosexual contact. However, analysis of these
increases indicates that they are mostly due to persons originating from a country with a
generalized HIV epidemic.France, Germany and the United Kingdom, it is through men who have sex with men. By the
early 1990’s, the United States reported that among adults, 57 percent of AIDS cases were
infected through male-to-male sex
Data on newly diagnosed HIV infections are now being used to track the HIV epidemic in Europe
and provide more relevant information on the current HIV situation since the widespread use of
highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) in 1996. The number of AIDS cases diagnosed
in 2001 was only one-third of that in 1995. However, data for the first 6 months of 2002 suggest
that AIDS incidence is now leveling off.
The rate of newly diagnosed HIV infections has increased by 14% between 1997 and 2001. By
transmission group the number of new diagnoses decreased slowly among homo/bisexual men
and IDU while it has increased steadily among heterosexual contact. However, analysis of these
increases indicates that they are mostly due to persons originating from a country with a
generalized HIV epidemic.