Armenicum Information Page

December 3, 2000

DECEMBER 1 - WORLD DAY OF AIDS PREVENTION. REAL NUMBER OF HIV- INFECTED IN ARMENIA - 1500 PEOPLE YEREVAN, DECEMBER 1. (SNARK).

As to calculations, the real number of HIV-infected in Armenia today is 1500 people, the director of the Armenian republican Center on AIDS prevention, the doctor of medical sciences Samvel Grigorian told. Meanwhile, as to data of the official statistics, 135 HIV-infected have been registered in the Center as of Dec 1, 2000. Fourteen cases of death from AIDS have been also registered, 4 of which - in 2000. The average age group of HIV-infected is 20-39 years old. Main ways of the HIV- infection transfer in Armenia is heterosexual - 47,0% and 40,3% when using intravenous drugs. During the press-conference Grigorian said that the epidemiological situation on AIDS in Armenia is unfavorable. The express-estimation of the situation showed that 14% of intravenous drugs' users in Yerevan are HIV- infected, i.e. 300-350 people. In the republic, 3-5% of prostitutes are carriers of HIV-infection, i.e. about 250 women.