HIV Diagnoses Surge Among Heterosexuals in Balearic Islands

While HIV infection rates have been declining in the Balearic Islands, recent data shows a concerning uptick in cases attributed to sexual transmission among both men and women. Heterosexuals now account for 42% of all new diagnoses, surpassing cases among homosexual or bisexual individuals, which make up 40% of new infections. In 12% of cases, the patient’s sexual orientation was unknown, and 1% falls into the ‘other’ category.

Insights from the Latest Report

This information comes from the most recent report by the Balearic Islands Health Department’s Epidemiology Service, which includes data from November 2022. The report delves into the evolution of HIV by transmission type, gender, age, and the patient’s country of origin since 1983. The report highlights that the Balearic Islands are getting closer to eradicating HIV transmission through intravenous drug use, a major factor in the 1990s. In the last six years, there have been only five cases of HIV transmission through intravenous drug use, a testament to the region’s progress in combating the virus.

Key Statistics

Of the 2,863 HIV cases recorded in the Balearic Islands since records began, only 22% were in women, while the remaining 78% occurred in men.

HIV in Children

A particularly distressing statistic is that 39 cases (1.4%) were diagnosed in children under the age of 13. Most of these children contracted the virus from HIV-positive mothers, while three cases resulted from contaminated blood transfusions or blood products. None of these cases are recent; among the 101 cases detected since 2017, the youngest four fall within the 20 to 29-year-old age group.

Gender Disparities

The majority of HIV cases recorded since data collection began are in men, a trend that has not changed despite the decline in diagnoses. Only 16% of infections since 2017 have been in women. Of the total number of cases in the Balearic Islands since 1983, 2,237 (78%) have been in men, and 623 (22%) in women.

A Small Uptick

The Epidemiology report also notes a small increase since 2020, with 14 cases (a rate of 1.2 per 100,000) diagnosed in 2020 compared to 16 cases (a rate of 1.4) in 2021, following the pandemic. However, these figures are still far from the peak year for HIV infections, which occurred in 1995 when 215 cases were diagnosed (a rate of 28.4).

Country of Origin

In terms of the patient’s country of origin, 342 cases (12%) can be attributed to individuals from other countries. This is an indicator that has risen in recent years. Since 2017, only 44% of new diagnoses are patients of Spanish origin, while 56% have been detected in individuals from other countries.

Prevention Remains Vital

The Balearic Islands Health Department emphasizes that there is no cure or vaccine for HIV, but antiretroviral treatments are available. The virus is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, blood transmission, or during pregnancy. Individuals who contract HIV go through various stages, often remaining asymptomatic for years. This can lead to some people being unaware of their infection and unknowingly transmitting it to others.

As HIV diagnoses continue to rise among heterosexuals in the Balearic Islands, prevention, testing, and education remain vital components in the fight against this ongoing public health challenge.