Korean J Med.
2018 Aug;93(4):379-386. 10.3904/kjm.2018.93.4.379.
Mode of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission in Korea: The Korea HIV/AIDS Cohort Study
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. jmkim@yuhs.ac
- 2AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 3Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
- 4Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 5Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 6Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 7Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 8Department of Preventive Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 9Institute for Health and Society, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
- 10Division of Virus Disease Research, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju, Korea.
- KMID: 2435075
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2018.93.4.379
Abstract
- BACKGROUND/AIMS
Global efforts to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and strengthen treatment programs have reduced the annual incidence of HIV infection. However, the incidence recently increased unexpectedly in Korea. Therefore, to understand the cause of the increase in HIV infection incidence in Korea, it is important to identify the mode of HIV transmission.
METHODS
We included HIV-infected individuals enrolled in the Korea HIV/AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) Cohort from December 2006 to January 2018. The subjects were older than 18 years and were receiving care at 21 participating hospitals. They were interviewed by their physician at enrollment, and an epidemiological survey was conducted using a standardized questionnaire provided by a professional counseling nurse.
RESULTS
There were 1,474 subjects: 1,377 men and 97 women. Their mean age was 41.4 ± 12.6 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 14.2. The transmission modes were as follows: homosexual and bisexual contacts in 885 (60.1%), heterosexual contacts in 508 (34.6%), blood transfusion and blood products in 5 (0.3%), and injected drug use in 1 (0.0%). Regarding age, the proportion infected by homosexual and bisexual contacts was higher in the younger age groups: 71.5% in subjects aged 18-29 years. When this age group was further subdivided, 92.9% of those aged 18-19 years were determined to be infected via homosexual and bisexual contacts.
CONCLUSIONS
In Korea, HIV is transmitted predominantly via homosexual and bisexual contacts, which is more common among younger age groups and the cause of infections in most teenagers.
