HIV ‘Situation’ in St. Petersburg, Russia Has Not Improved, Infectious Disease Surveillance Organization Says
The HIV "situation" in St Petersburg, Russia, has not improved, according to a document released by Rospotrebnadzor -- a new organization working in infectious disease surveillance and control in the Russian Federation -- Interfax reports. More than 1,000 new HIV cases were recorded in the city during the first quarter of 2006, the document says. At the end of 2005, St. Petersburg had an HIV prevalence of 0.6%, and the main method of HIV transmission was through injection drug use, according to data from the city's public health committee. The Rospotrebnadzor document also says that the percentage of HIV-positive St. Petersburg residents seeking medical assistance has increased, with 56% of those aware of their HIV-positive status seeking assistance. The figure remains lower than the national average of 63%, according to the document (Interfax, 4/10).
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