       Document 0783
 DOCN  M9610783
 TI    The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Jamaica.
 DT    9601
 AU    Figueroa JP; Brathwaite A; Ward E; DuCasse M; Tscharf I; Nembhard O;
       Williams E; Ministry of Health, Epidemiology Unit, Kingston, Jamaica.
 SO    AIDS. 1995 Jul;9(7):761-8. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/96035240
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To describe the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Jamaica. METHODS: Data
       from the national surveillance system for HIV infection and AIDS based
       in the Epidemiology Unit, Ministry of Health, were reviewed. These
       include case reports; HIV screening of blood donors, migrant farmworkers
       and US visa applicants; sentinel surveillance among antenatal clinic
       (ANC) attenders and sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic attenders;
       and various serosurveys. RESULTS: A total of 669 AIDS cases were
       reported in Jamaica from December 1993 representing a cumulative AIDS
       case rate of 28 per 100,000 population. Since 1987 the annual AIDS case
       rate doubled every 2 years with 69% of individuals having died with
       AIDS. Heterosexual transmission predominates with the cumulative adult
       AIDS male-to-female case ratio declining from 2.8:1 in 1988 to 1.9:1 in
       1993. A total of 55 children with AIDS account for 8.2% of all cases.
       The HIV infection rate per 1000 in 1993 was 3.8 among blood donors, 1.4
       among ANC attenders and significantly higher among STD clinic attenders
       (men 6%, women 2.7%), homosexuals (9.6%), female prostitutes (12%) and
       individuals with repeat STD infections (10%). Consistent condom use
       increased from 27% in 1989 to 47% in 1993. CONCLUSIONS: HIV infection
       was introduced into Jamaica from abroad through several different routes
       including the Jamaican homosexual community, migrant farmworkers, female
       prostitutes, and informal commercial importers. HIV transmission is well
       established locally and is spreading more rapidly in Western Jamaica and
       along the North Coast, which may reflect increased sexual activity
       associated with tourism. Although awareness of AIDS and HIV is high and
       condom use has increased considerably, there are no grounds for
       complacency concerning the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Jamaica.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/TRANSMISSION
       Adolescence  Adult  Blood Donors  Child  Child, Preschool  *Disease
       Outbreaks  Female  Human  Infant  Jamaica/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Male  Middle Age
       Population Surveillance  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

