Case report
Twenty Years of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Croatia – An Epidemic that is Still in an Early Stage
Josip Begovac
Šime Zekan
Dunja Skoko-Poljak
Abstract
Croatia has a low-level HIV epidemic; 553 persons were diagnosed with HIV infection in the period 1985–2005. The
principal mode of transmission was sex between men (40% of cases) and heterosexual contact (40%). Only about 10% of
cases were injecting drug users. Testing data also suggest a low prevalence of HIV infection in Croatia, even in vulnerable
groups. Behavioral data indicate risky sexual behaviors, with the clear need for interventions. National policy towards
HIV/AIDS is operated through the National Committee on HIV/AIDS, a multisectorial advisory body to the Government
of Croatia. Croatia applied to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in 2002 which resulted
in a 4,9 million USD grant for scaling up prevention interventions. Croatia has a centralized system of treatment and
care which is provided at the University Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Zagreb. Highly active antiretroviral treatment
is provided free of charge from April 1998.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
27696
URI
Publication date:
25.4.2006.
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