Seroprevalence of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C virus in the general population of the Liangshan Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China

Abstract

This study aimed at understanding the HIV prevalence, distribution of HIV risk factors and whether the HIV has spread from high-risk groups to the general population in the Yanyuan and Muli counties, Liangshan Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China. A multistage probability method was used to select a representative sample of villages in each county, with stratification by risk employed in the sampling for the Yanyuan county. A real-name registration and confidential method were adopted to collect the information of the participants. Blood specimens were tested for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C virus. A total of 4,950 subjects participated in the study. Of the participants aged ≥ 15 years, 0.12% self-reported being drug users and 40% were injection drug users; 0.46% had multiple sex partners and the condom use rate was only 26.3% during the last sexual intercourse. HIV, syphilis, and HCV prevalence of Yanyuan county were 0.06% (95% CI: 0-0.142), 0.06% (95% CI: 0-0.142), and 0.15% (95% CI: 0.020-0.280), respectively. HCV prevalence of Muli county was 0.06% (95% CI: 0-0.191), and none was found to be HIV or syphilis positive. Therefore, the rate of HIV infection in Yanyuan and Muli counties is at a low level currently. The Yanyuan county HIV infection rate is similar to the average rate in all of China, and the Muli county rate is below China's average. The HIV epidemic has not spread from high-risk groups to the general population in these two counties.

The Impact of Social Factors on Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Co-Infection in a Minority Region of Si-Chuan, the People's Republic of China: A Population-Based Survey and Testing Study

“…These are both higher than the divorced/widowed group (HIV: 5.6%, HCV: 6.1%). Combined with the results of multiple sexual partners (male: 29.9%, female: 17.1%), which were higher than in other, low HIV prevalence regions [25], we think that having multiple sexual partners is a very important risk factor for HIV infection. In contrast to the total study population, we found that education was related to HIV infection, but knowledge was not.…”

HIV-, HCV-, and Co-Infections and Associated Risk Factors among Drug Users in Southwestern China: A Township-Level Ecological Study Incorporating Spatial Regression

“…The first case of HIV was observed among drug users in eastern M county in 1995. From there, the HIV epidemic spread to all 16 counties and a city [38]. In general, male drug users were found to engage in more risky behavior than female drug users, such as sharing syringes.…”

“…The Yi ethnic minority still maintains traditional social norms and values, including arranged marriage between individuals of the same social status and acceptance of casual sex. Condom use is infrequent among Yi [38], [40].…”

No Evidence of HIV Infection Among the General Population of Mashhad, Northeast of Iran

“…Furthermore, AIDSrelated deaths increased by 66% in this region compared to a worldwide fall of 35% between 2005 and 2013 (13). Similarly, a very low HIV prevalence has been reported in the general population of Sichuan, China (14). The prevalence of the infection in Yanyuan was reported as low as 0.06% and in Muli no one was found to be HIV positive.…”