Our Taboos Affect the Increase in the Number of HIV-Positive Cases in Turkey

Reminding that the World Health Organization and the United Nations AIDS Organization (UNAIDS) determined the theme as "Equalize" on December 1, 2022, Yeditepe University Hospitals Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Meral Sönmezoğlu: "The increase in social awareness and the end of discrimination in HIV infection, which has been a pandemic feature since 1985, will enable risky people to be tested and treated."

As the Covid-19 pandemic became one of the most significant epidemics affecting the world, the increase in social awareness showed that reaching diagnosis and treatment by testing was one of the most effective ways to slow down the epidemic. Infectious Diseases and Clinic Microbiology specialist Prof. Dr. Meral Sönmezoğlu stated that this perspective is also needed for HIV infection.

"There has been a 100 percent increase in our country in the last 5 years."

AIDS, which is defined as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, continues to maintain its importance even though 41 years have passed since the disease was defined. Yeditepe University Kosuyolu Hospital Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Meral Sönmezoğlu pointed out that the number of HIV-positive / AIDS patients in Turkey has increased inversely despite the decrease in the world.  Prof. Sönmezoğlu: “The first HIV case in our country was diagnosed in 1985. While a total of 3 cases were recorded in the same year, the annual number of patients reached 100 after 1996 and 1000 after 2012. Prof. Dr. Meral Sönmezoğlu explained the following about the statistics on the subject:

“There are 30,293 HIV(+) people and 2083 AIDS cases in our country who were found to be positive by the verification test from 1985 to 31 December 2021. 81.2 percent of the cases are male, 18.8 percent are female, and 16 percent are foreign nationals. The age groups with the highest incidence of cases are the 25-29 and 30-34 age groups. Considering the distribution according to the route of transmission, it is known that 45.6% of the cases are sexually transmitted, and 68.6% of these cases reported to be sexually transmitted are heterosexual sexual intercourse. In addition, the transmission route of 0.97 percent of the cases is intravenous substance use and the transmission route of 53.08 percent is unknown.

On 01 January 2021 – 31 December 2021, a total of 3002 cases, 2922 HIV (+) individuals and 80 AIDS cases were found to be positive and reported. 83.94% of the reported cases are male and 16.05% are female. 17.85% of the cases are foreign nationals. Among the cases reported in 2021, the 25-29  age group has been reported more than other age groups."

“Patients Decide to Take the Test Late”

The rapid increase in the number of HIV-infected patients in our country can be explained by the late decision of existing patients to take tests, as well as the low level of awareness about HIV infection in our society and the knowledge about transmission methods and prevention methods. Prof. Dr. Meral Sönmezoğlu: ''According to T. R. Ministry of Health December 2021 data, 32376 people collected in Turkey were diagnosed with HIV positive/AIDS. Registered patients are estimated to be as much as 40 percent of the total patients thought to exist, with the actual number of cases estimated to be around 80,000.’’

“Successful Results are Achieved in the Countries that Educate the Society”

Stating that the HIV epidemic in developed countries can be controlled by identifying risk groups, providing disease prevention training to these groups, ensuring that they are tested and starting treatment for all newly diagnosed patients, Prof. Dr. Meral Sönmezoğlu: “However, the rates of loss of life of patients were also reduced and the number of new patients could be reduced. All of this has led to a significant increase in the quality of life of patients. On the other hand, the number of new patients continues to increase in Eastern European and Central Asian countries. In the 2000s, only 2 percent of patients were able to access combined HIV treatments that effectively suppress the HIV and restore the immune system, compared to 12 percent in 2007, 59 percent in 2017, and 88 percent in 2021.”

In Order To Protect Against HIV/AIDS...

Yeditepe University Hospitals Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Meral Sönmezoğlu lists her suggestions by stating that December 1, World AIDS Day, is a day chosen for countries to evaluate their place in the HIV epidemic, to evaluate awareness in society and to give up-to-date messages:

• Every age group in society, especially the 18-45 age group, must be trained on HIV infection.
• Especially the young adult age group should be warned to avoid unprotected sexual contact.
• Pregnant women with other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis should be tested for HIV. 
• It should be emphasized that HIV is found in blood and genital secretions in the body, it cannot be passed through skin contact such as shaking hands in social life, and it is wrong to remove HIV (+) people from social environments. 
• Society’s view and perception of HIV infection should be changed, and it should be informed that HIV infection is not a fatal disease and that there is effective treatment.
• Groups at risk for HIV transmission should be trained and those within these groups should be supported to get tested.
• Risk groups in our country should be announced. (unprotected sexual contact, male homosexuals, sex workers, intravenous drug users)
• The fact that HIV (+) people start treatment as soon as possible has positive effects on the immune system and life span. Patients should be supported in starting and continuing treatment.
• Patients' right to privacy of information and protection of their social lives should be respected.
• HIV testing should be done, and treatment should be started.

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