EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SURVEILLANCE OF THE LAST DECADE OF HIV IN GREECE AND EUROPE. PRE EXPOSURE PROPHY-LAXIS (PREP), BARRIES AND STRATEGIES
Eleni Sagona, Ioannis Apostolakis
Monday, January 1, 2024
Publication year:
2024
Authors:
- Sagona Eleni , Midwife, Health Center of Florina, School of Social Sciences, Hellenic Open University, Patras , Greece
- Apostolakis Ioannis, Medical Informatics PhD, School of Social Sciences, Hellenic Open University, Patras, Laboratory of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University, Athens, , Greece
Keywords index:
Pages: 29-40
Abstract:
Introduction: The AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) epidemic is a dominant and enduring global public health issue. Aim: This article presents the epidemiological surveillance of the last decade of HIV in Greece and Europe including the new prevention method PrEP, the implementation of PrEP, the barriers to its implementation as well as their strategic overcoming. Methodology: Literature review in international databases (PubMed, Google Scholar) using specific keywords in Greek and English, in published books and Internet references. Results: The epidemiological survey of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections in Greece and in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries during the last decade presents a decrease in the prevalence of the disease from 8.7 to 5.8 and from 6.1 to 3.3, respectively. Progress has also been made towards the targets set by the United Nations (UN) to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 and the continuum of care with the Western EU/EEA countries being closer to achieving the targets. The recently instituted prevention method of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) consists in the administration of antiretroviral treatment to seronegative individuals with a high risk of infection. Conclusions: New strategies are needed to improve early diagnosis and treatment, aimed at raising awareness of disease prevention among more people. Barriers to PrEP implementation are centred on ignorance and social stigma. Strategies to overcome these barriers should focus on education of all stakeholders.
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