ASSESSMENT OF THE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF KEY POPULATION GROUPS IN THE SPREAD OF SOCIALLY SIGNIFICANT INFECTIONS (HIV, HCV, HBV AND SYPHILIS) IN THE SVERDLOVSK REGION
DOI: 10.22138/2500-0918-2025-22-2-180-192
A.S. Podymova¹, O.G. Prokhorova¹, T.A. Syrneva², N.V. Polyakova²
¹State Аutonomous Healthcare Institution of Sverdlovsk Region «Sverdlovsk Regional Center
for the Prevention and Control of AIDS», Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation;
²State budgetary Institution of Sverdlovsk region «Ural Research Institute of Dermatovenereology and Immunopathology», Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation
Abstract. To effectively counter the spread of socially significant infections, it is crucial to determine the contribution of key populations to the development of the epidemic process.
This study aimed to assess the prevalence of HIV infection, viral hepatitis B and C, and syphilis, as well as the behavioral characteristics of key populations, with the goal of optimizing prevention, detection, and to care. Materials and Methods. A bio-behavioral survey was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of HIV infection, viral hepatitis B and C, and syphilis and to identify risky behaviors in key populations. The total sample size was 650 individuals. Results indicated that, among key populations overall, HIV infection (7.1%) and HCV (6.5%) were the most frequently detected, followed by syphilis (3.2%) and HBV (0.8%). Drugs users were the most affected group for both HIV infection and HCV (25.0%). Sex workers (9.0%) and men who have sex with men (7.0%) were at higher risk for syphilis. Risky behaviors associated with the transmission of socially significant infections through sexual and parenteral routes were identified: 32.2% of respondents reported drug use, 35.3% reported weekly alcohol consumption, and more than one sexual partner in the past 6 months was reported by 29.5% of the general population and 86.7% of key populations. Conclusion. The established high prevalence of socially significant infections with sexual and parenteral routes of transmission among key populations necessitates the optimization of medical and organizational measures aimed at early detection, prevention, and linkage of these patients to the healthcare system.
Keywords: HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, prevalence, countermeasures
There is no conflict of interest.
Contact information of the author responsible for correspondence:
Olga G. Prokhorova
spid-prohorova@mis66.ru
Recieved 16.04.2025
For citation: Podymova A.S., Prokhorova O.G., Syrneva T.A., Polyakova N.V. Assessment of the epidemiological significance of key population groups in the spread of socially significant infections (HIV, HCV, HBV and syphilis) in the Sverdlovsk region. [Online] Vestn. Ural. Med. Akad. Nauki. = Journal of Ural Medical Academic Science. 2025, Vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 180–192. DOI: 10.22138/2500-0918-2025-22-2-180-192 (In Russ)
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Authors
Angelica S. Podymova
Sverdlovsk Regional Centre for AIDS Prevention and Control
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Chief Physician
apodymova@list.ru
ORCID 0000-0001-7345-0801
Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation
Olga G. Prokhorova
Sverdlovsk Regional Centre for AIDS Prevention and Control
PhD in Medical Sciences, Head of the HIV Prevention Department
ORCID 0009-0004-8563-0411
spid-prohorova@mis66.ru
Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation
Tatiana A. Syrneva
Ural Research Institute of Dermatovenereology and Immunopathology
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Leading Researcher
orgotdel_2008@mail.ru
ORCID 0000-0002-8963-6042
Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation
Natalia V. Polyakova
Ural Research Institute of Dermatovenereology and Immunopathology
PhD in Medical Sciences, Senior Researcher
pnv05.77@mail.ru
ORCID 0000-0002-3636-1284
Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation