Epidemiological characteristics of HIV infection cases aged 50 years in Dehong, Yunnan province, 1989-2015

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of HIV infection cases aged 50 years in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province from 1989 to 2015 and to provide evidence for the targeted intervention in this population. Methods The data of people living with HIV/AIDS (aged 50 years)who were clinical and laboratory confirmed in Dehong from 1989 to 2015 were collected from national AIDS information system for a retrospectively analysis. Results A total of 1 193 HIV/AIDS cases aged 50 years were reported in Dehong during this period, accounting for 7.98% of the total cases. The cases fatality rate was 41.58% (496/1 193). The proportion of HIV/AIDS cases aged 50 years increased by year from 2.97% in 2000 to 19.94% in 2015. The HIV/AIDS cases aged 50 years were distributed in all 5 counties of Dehong, but Mangshi county had the highest case number, accounting for 11.67%, and they were mainly males (773/1 193), accounting for 64.79%. Their average age was (58.316.96) years. Up to 93.38% of the cases had only educational level of junior middle school or lower. Framers, the unemployed and the retired accounted for 94.02%. In terms of infection route, 89.52% were infected through sexual contact, 10.48% were infected through injecting drug use. The cases in females, the unmarried and farmers and those infected through sexual contact and detected in clinical test increased during different periods (1989-2003,2004-2011 and 2012-2015). Conclusion The epidemic of AIDS is serious in people aged 50 years in Dehong. It is necessary to strengthen the comprehensive prevention and control of HIV infection in this population, including health education.