Epidemiologic characteristics of elderly HIV/AIDS patients in Zhaotong municipality of Yunnan province,2005-2014

Objective To describe epidemiological characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(HIV/AIDS)patients aged≥50 years in Zhaotong municipality and to provide evidences for making measures on prevention and control of AIDS in the elderly.Methods The records of HIV/AIDS cases aged≥50 years at the registration reported in Zhaotong municipality of Yunnan province between 2005 through 2014 were extracted from AIDS Prevention and Control Information System of China Center for Disease Control and Prevention and demographics and transmission route among the cases were analyzed.Results The total number of elderly HIV/AIDS cases reported was 540 during the period.The average age of the cases at the registration was 62.1±8.9 years;of the cases,67.8% were male and 32.2% were female;42.2% were illiteracy and 40.4% were with the education of primary school;76.6% were farmers;65.0% were married;and 93.3% were infected with HIV via heterosexual transmission.Most of the elderly cases of HIV/AIDS were distributed in the counties or districts with severe epidemic of AIDS and better economic development.The annual proportion of elderly cases among newly reported HIV/AIDS cases increased significantly from 1.7% in 2005 to 36.0% in 2014 (χ²=197.9,P<0.01)and the annual proportion of elderly cases among the newly infected HIV cases via heterosexual transmission also increased significantly from 10.0% in 2005 to 37.0% in 2014(χ²=119.5,P<0.01).Conclusion The epidemics of HIV/AIDS in the elderly were serious in Zhaotong municipality in recent years.Comprehensive intervention on HIV control among the elderly should be concerned in the routine work and promoted based on the characteristics of the elderly population.