Epidemiology of HIV in Iran

Abstract

: Iran has been one the active countries fighting against HIV/AIDS in Middle East during last decades. Moreover, there is a strong push to strengthen the national health management system concerning HIV prevention and control. In Iran, HIV disease has its own unique features, from changes in modes of transmission to improvement in prevention programs, which can make it a good case for closer scrutiny. The present review describes the HIV epidemic in Iran from the first case diagnosed till recent progresses in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention among different groups at risk. Not only we addressed the key populations and community-based attempts to overcome HIV-related issues in clinics, but we also elaborated on the efforts and trends in society and the actual behaviors related to HIV/AIDS. Being located in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, given the country-specific characteristics, despite all the national efforts along with other countries in this region, Iran still needs to take extra measures to reduce HIV transmission, especially in health education. Although Iran is one of the pioneers in implementing pertinent policies in the MENA region, including harm reduction services to reduce HIV incidence, people with substance use disorder continue to be the majority of those living with HIV in the country. Similar to other countries in this region, the HIV prevention and control programs aim at 90-90-90 targets to eliminate HIV infection and reduce the transmission, especially the mother-to-child transmission and among other key populations.

Factors Associated With Late Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation Among People Living With HIV in Southern Iran: A Historical Cohort Study

“…Accordingly, health education, socio-economic support, cultural interventions, and condom promotion are recommended for HIV control in Iran. Primary health care (PHC) in Iran can play key roles in supporting groups at high risk with regard to harm reduction, reduction of high-risk sexual behaviors, and diagnosis and treatment of PLHIV to improve the prognosis of HIV infection and reduce transmission (32,33).…”

Hepatitis C Virus Coinfection in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Based on the Iranian HIV Patient Registry System, at the end of 2019, of 22 054 cases, 14 311 (64.89%) and 6376 individuals (28.91%) were infected through intravenous injection and sexual contact, respectively [ 4 , 97 , 98 ]. Of special consideration, female partners of IDUs in Iran have always been considered one of the most high-risk groups for HIV in Iran.…”

The role of online social networks in improving health literacy and medication adherence among people living with HIV/AIDS in Iran: Development of a conceptual model

“…Yet in Iran, only 20% of Iranian people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)are engaged in medical care for treatment and only 17% are ART adherent and virally suppressed [ 5 , 6 ]. Additionally, limited access to ART, poor medication adherence, and limited access to key populations (men who have sex with men, PWID, people in prisons, female sex workers and their clients, and transgender people) are threatening the success of HIV prevention and control programs in the country [ 7 , 8 ].…”