After the first case reported in 1984, the cumulative number of native HIV cases reached 16,784 by the end of 2008. This figure included 5,183 persons developed full-blown AIDS and 2,199 patients have already passed away. The estimated HIV prevalence rate among adults aged between 15 to 49 years old in Taiwan was 0.16% in 2008(which was calculated using tools provided by UNAIDS). Relatively speaking, Taiwan remained at a low prevalence stage of the epidemic. The number of HIV infections surged in 2005, reaching a 124% increase from the previous year. Further analysis found that injecting drug users accounted for two thirds of all newly reported HIV cases. However, the annual reported case number dropped to 2,930 in 2006, which is our first reversal in the growing trend of annual case numbers since 1984. The declining trend continued till now. We believe this is due to the extensively implementation of harm reduction program resulted in reduced HIV-infected IDU case number.
This slide shows the changing of risk category among new reported HIV-infected patients. Before 2004, the majority of HIV/AIDS cases were transmitted sexually. Men who had sex with men (MSM) accounted for the largest proportion followed by heterosexual contact. IDUs soared in 2004 and constituted the largest category in the next two years. IDUs proportion peaked in 2005 which reached 72% of all newly reported HIV cases, then declined rapidly and accounts only 11% in 2009. The major risk category return to MSM.
