Trends by transmission category in HIV/AIDS epidemic in Greece (1981-2003)

The main objective of the study is to estimate secular trends by transmission mode in HIV/AIDS epidemic in Greece through years 1981-2003 using data from the national HIV/AIDS surveillance system. The cumulative number of HIV positive persons reported in Greece through 30 June 2003 comes up to 6521. Among them, 5241 (80.37%) are men and 1242 (19.04%) are women. Sexual transmission accounts for the vast majority of HIV reported cases. Transmission category is reported as "undetermined" for 27.1% of HIV cases. HIV trends by transmission group are difficult to interpret because of the high proportion of cases classified as "undetermined". However, the proportion of routes of transmission suggests a decline for men who have sex with other men during 1996-1999 but the percentage is stabilized for recent years in controversy to a slight but steady increase to heterosexual route of transmission.