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01 12.2023
Every year since 1988, December 1 is celebrated as World AIDS Day. The global community today faces an important task - to stop the spread of HIV infection and prevent the increase in the number of deaths from AIDS-defining diseases.
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To solve this problem, scientific research continues, aimed primarily at the development of new antiretroviral drugs, diagnostic tools and the creation of vaccines that prevent HIV infection. There is currently no way to cure the disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus. However, the availability of modern means of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of HIV infection and opportunistic diseases, the possibility of access of HIV-infected patients to the monitoring and care system have made it possible today to transfer HIV infection to the category of chronic diseases with a controlled course, and people infected with HIV can live a long and active life. life.
Generalized data from the subjects of the Volga Federal District indicate that by September 30, 2023, the cumulative number of HIV-infected persons in the district was 350,989. The incidence of HIV infection in the population of the Volga Federal District as of September 30, 2023 was 737.30/0000. Thus, 0.74% of the district's population is currently HIV positive.
The continuing growth in the number of HIV-infected citizens and the widespread use of antiretroviral therapy have led, since 2008, to conduct laboratory tests for HIV drug resistance at the Volga District Center for the Prevention and Control of AIDS (Center). The results obtained help treating physicians prescribe alternative drugs to select new effective treatment regimens to improve the quality of life of HIV-infected citizens, reduce mortality and lethality from this disease, and reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to other people.
The situation with the spread of HIV infection requires the consolidation of the efforts of many structures - government, medical, pedagogical, volunteer. At the present stage, the most important direction in countering the HIV epidemic is preventive work with the population, aimed not only at disseminating information among different groups of the population, but also at shaping public consciousness in order to influence people’s behavior, promote increased awareness and responsibility in choosing behavior options in situations of risk of infection. Throughout the entire period since its establishment in 1989, the center has been engaged in preventive and educational work with various segments of the population, paying special attention to student youth.
Today, World AIDS Day remains important in reminding people of the ongoing HIV epidemic. Raising awareness of the impact of HIV on people's lives, eradicating stigma and discrimination and improving the quality of life of HIV-infected citizens remains relevant.
