Misclassification of men with reported HIV infection in Ukraine

AIDS Behav. 2015 Oct;19(10):1938-40. doi: 10.1007/s10461-015-1112-0.

Abstract

We analyzed data on reported mode of transmission in case reports of HIV-infections among men in Ukraine. The number of men who were reported to have acquired HIV through heterosexual transmission increased substantially in 2006-2011. However, we estimate that up to 40 % of reported cases of heterosexual transmission among men may actually represent misclassified men who have sex with men or persons who inject drugs. These findings indicate a need to improve the quality of data on reported mode of HIV transmission. Accurate information has important public health implications in planning prevention and treatment services.

Keywords: Case reporting; HIV; Heterosexual transmission; Men who have sex with men (MSM); Modes of transmission; Persons who inject drugs (PWID); Ukraine.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Drug Users / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • HIV Infections / transmission*
  • Heterosexuality*
  • Homosexuality, Male*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Population Surveillance / methods*
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk-Taking
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / epidemiology
  • Ukraine / epidemiology