Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS in age group of≥50 years in Taizhou, Zhejiang province

Objective To describe the epidemiological characteristics of HIV/AIDS in people aged 50 in Taizhou, and provide evidence for the targeted AIDS prevention and control. Methods The incidence data of reported HIV/AIDS cases in age group of 50 years in Taizhou from 1996 to 2010 was collected to conduct analysis on the distributions, transmission route and detection way of the cases. Results A total of 88 HIV/AIDS cases in this age group were reported during this period, including 56 AIDS cases and 15 deaths. Up to 96.6% of the cases were local people. The male to female ratio of the cases was 4.2∶1. The age of the cases ranged from 50 to 89 years (the median: 59 years). The cases in farmers accounted for 65.9% and the cases in people who only received primary school education or not accounted for 77.3%. Heterosexual contact was the major transmission route, accounting for 85.2%, but the proportion of homosexual transmission increased significantly in recent years. Conclusion The reported HIV/AIDS cases in age group of 50 years increased significantly in Taizhou. Sexual transmission was the major route. It is necessary to strengthen the intervention on risk sexual behavior and health education in middle aged or old people about AIDS prevention.